DOJ to release info on 52 drug war deaths Wednesday

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MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Justice (DOJ) will make public the information about the 52 cases involving deaths linked to the government’s anti-illegal drug operations.

Justice Undersecretary Neal Bainto, in a press statement, said the decision to release certain information about the 52 cases is part of its recognition of the importance of transparency in its review process.

The 52 cases that were submitted by the Philippine National Police and its Internal Affairs Service (IAS) have been referred to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for further investigation and case buildup.

Bainto said the purposes of making some information about the cases public are: 1) to inform the families and loved ones of the deceased suspects that the circumstances surrounding the case are undergoing investigation for possible criminal liability on the part of policemen involved and 2) to invite witnesses or persons with first-hand information helpful to the resolution of the cases to come forward and give their statements.

The DOJ will make public docket numbers, names of deceased suspects, locations and dates of incidents as well as the review panel’s observations.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said information on the 52 cases will be published in a 20-page matrix on Wednesday.

“The President has expressly directed the DOJ and the PNP to review the conduct of the war on drugs and has publicly stated that all those who acted ‘beyond bounds’ should be held accountable for any unlawful acts or omissions. That is a clear signal that transparency in the drug war review will be observed,” he said.

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