Cops profiling drug war victims’ kin during probe may face contempt

Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. —PHOTO FROM BENNY ABANTE FACEBOOK

MANILA, Philippines — Police officers who are allegedly taking photos of drug war victims’ relatives testifying before the House of Representatives may be cited for contempt, Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. said on Wednesday.

During the hearing of the House committee on human rights, Abante said that there were claims that some police officers were taking pictures of drug war victims’ kin, who were called to shed light on alleged human rights abuses under the past administration’s term.

Abante told representatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to respect the committee.

“Meron tayo dyan mga biktima sa labas (We have victims outside).  And I was told that there are some police people who are taking pictures [of] them,” he said.  “If they (police) do not want to be held in contempt… I do not want anyone taking pictures of anybody, if you are not a member of the media.”

“I am prohibiting any police officers to take pictures of these victims. Respect this committee,” he added.

Abante asked the committee to provide a holding room for the resource persons, as part of his commitment to safeguard the victims’ relatives who would testify.

“(I) fully acknowledge the fears and the reluctance that many may feel about coming forward to testify. These fears are real; they have basis,” he added.

“(But) the House of Representatives is here to support you, to safeguard your rights, and to ensure your safety,” he added.

The committee has been listening to several testimonies from the drug war victims’ kin, in line with its investigation of alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the Duterte administration’s drug war.

On Tuesday, Merly Fernandez of Caloocan’s Barangay Bagong Silang said that her son, Wesley Fernandez, who was killed by masked individuals in October 2016, was protesting his killing even in his dying moments.

Both Fernandez’ son and husband were shot in front of her and her grandchildren.

READ: War on drugs: The violence, scars, doubts and families it left behind 

Previously, the committee also listened to Christine Pascual, mother of 17-year-old Joshua Pascual Laxamana who was killed by police officers in Pangasinan during the implementation of the past administration’s drug war.

READ: ‘Masakit pa rin’: Drug war fatality’s mom still can’t accept son’s fate 

Cops said the minor fired against operatives, but Pascual insists that Laxamana was merely coming home from a DotA tournament in Baguio City and was just caught in the middle of the operation.