Senate committee of the whole probe into Duterte’s drug war sought

Senators listen to a person who is suspect in a case of mistaken identity. Shown in the photo are (from left) Senators Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, Robin Padilla, Joel Villanueva, Win Gatchalian and Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa —File photo from the Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Risa Hontiveros wants a Senate committee of the whole to investigate former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs.

Hontiveros made the recommendation in light of Sen. Bato dela Rosa’s plan to lead the probe as head of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs.

Dela Rosa was also the chief implementer of Duterte’s Oplan Tokhang, being his former national police chief.

This role landed him on the roster of Duterte administration officials who were accused of crimes against humanity by drug war victims’ families before the International Criminal Court.

“In the first place, it is really important for us to know the truth in this bloody war on drugs, especially for the families of the victims of extrajudicial killings,” Hontiveros in mix of Filipino and English on Thursday over DZXL’s “Straight to the Point” radio program.

“So I will propose in the Senate leadership to create a Senate committee of the whole to investigate the previous administration’s war on drugs,” she added.

Hontiveros said a Senate committee of the whole investigation would help encourage more victims who survived to testify against the deadly drug campaign.

A Senate committee of the whole is composed of all senators with the Senate president as chair.