Drug war probe repetitive? Abante says new information coming out

FILE PHOTO: Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., chair of the House committee on human rights, delivers his speech during the start of their hearing on alleged extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs in this photo taken on May 21, 2024 (Photo screengrab from House of Representatives YouTube livestream)

MANILA, Philippines — Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante has disputed claims that the House probe into the Duterte administration’s drug war is repetitive, saying new information came out during the hearings.

In an interview on Monday, Abante said the House of Representatives is discussing possible rights violations because some witnesses are coming out just now, and because he became chairperson of the committee on human rights only recently.

He was answering Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s allegation that the hearings were merely a fishing expedition as these had been done several times already. Dela Rosa was the chief of the Philippine National Police during the drug war.

“It’s not repetitive, it’s better if he (Dela Rosa) attends so that he can see for himself if it is repetitive. We presented different witnesses because we want to apprehend whoever is behind this, and investigate the wrongs done in the past,” Abante told reporters.

“If they are asking why only now, it’s because it is only now that these things came out recently. I do not know why, but maybe they are afraid of spilling this in the past. It’s only now that the Makabayan bloc got the chance to file resolutions regarding the war on drugs. So what will the committee on human rights do about that but hear these resolutions and privilege speeches?” he asked.

Dela Rosa said he does not have a problem with the activities of the House quad-committee that investigates the possible correlation between the illegal activities in Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo) hubs, the illegal drug trade, and possible abuses committed during the Duterte administration’s drug war.

He, however, admitted to “not wanting” the actions of the committee on human rights, saying it was probing Duterte’s drug war even though several investigations were conducted already.

READ: Dela Rosa singles out rights panel as one he despises in quad committee

But Abante said new information came out during the hearing as lawmakers were able to listen to the testimonies about how innocent people, like minors, were killed during the drug war.

Supposed attempts to cover the killings were also brought up like the case of a nine-year-old girl who died during an anti-drug operation, but the cause of her death was listed as pneumonia.

“We cannot say that because the child died in 2018, the parents can just forget about this. Until now they’re crying for justice,” Abante said.

He also said police officers admitted that they were working within a “quota system,” where cops had to reach a certain number of operations to be rewarded.

“What we found during the last hearing was that some police officers admitted to having a reward system, a quota system? Some have denied this, but we have talked to police officers, including some who are still in active service, [and] they say that the reward system exists,” he said.

“If a police officer kills a drug pusher, he will get money. It’s a reward system, it’s a quota system,” he added.

After the quad-committee was formed to probe issues, Abante was asked why the committee on human rights was part of the quad-panel.

Abante said they got information that money from Pogos was allegedly used to reward police officers who killed drug suspects, which he believes is enough reason for the human rights panel to be included in the quad-committee.

READ: Abante defends rights panel’s role in joint probe on EJKs, drugs, Pogos

Last Friday, the quad-panel started its hearing on the possible correlation between Pogo hubs, the illegal drug trade, alleged connivance of government offices, and human rights violations.

During the hearing, former Bureau of Customs intelligence officer Jimmy Guban said former Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda sent emissaries in 2018 to warn him that he would die if he named Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, lawyer Manases Carpio, and former President Rodrigo Duterte’s economic adviser Michael Yang as individuals involved in the illegal drugs shipment in 2018.

READ: ‘Don’t name Paolo Duterte, Mans Carpio, Yang in 2018 shabu import mess’

Guban was referring to the one ton of shabu worth P6.8 billion, concealed in a magnetic lifter, which eluded authorities in 2018. The House and the Senate investigated the matter and Guban attended the hearings where he was cited for contempt.

READ: 1 ton of shabu worth P6.8B eludes PDEA, PNP

Rep. Duterte and Antiporda have denied Guban’s accusations.

According to Rep. Duterte, he has never met Guban and he cannot be treated as a star witness as he is not credible, having been cited for contempt for lying at the Senate blue ribbon committee.

READ: Rep. Duterte denies knowing Guban, calls him not credible as witness