Palace backs PNP’s re-investigation of high-profile killings linked to drug war

At least 6 hired men of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. were killed by police who raided the Espinosa house in Leyte. (File photo from ROBERT DEJON / INQUIRER VISAYAS)

MANILA, Philippines — The Palace supports the plan of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to reinvestigate high-profile killings related to the war against illegal drugs during the previous administration.

In a Viber message, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin was asked if Malacañang backs this plan, to which he replied, “Of course.”

READ: PNP disputes ‘killing machine’ tag amid Garma’s drug war expose’

“The reopening of the investigations of the high killings related to the war on drugs should indicate that the Marcos administration places the highest importance on the fair dispensation of justice and on the universal observance of the rule of law in the country,” Bersamin pointed out.

This plan was mentioned by PNP Spokesperson Brigadier General Jean Fajardo in a press briefing on Tuesday.

She said they will check old cases, referring to unsolved criminal investigations, including those of 20 public officials who were allegedly killed in relation to the war on drugs.