Santa Rosa Rep. Dan Fernandez — Photo from the House of Representatives
MANILA, Philippines — Sta. Rosa City, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez has called for a motu proprio congressional investigation into the administrative and criminal cases filed against police officers involved in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, highlighting the impact on low-ranking officers who face legal consequences for actions they claim were orders from their superiors.
Fernandez, co-chairman of the Quad Committee and chair of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety, stressed the need to address the plight of affected officers, many of whom are now dismissed or facing charges.
“I mean iyung mga kapulisan under my committee, actually tinitingnan ko po na bigyan ng isang motu propio investigation on this matter, kasi nga ang policy po ng former government ay iyun pong talagang negation, neutralization,” Fernandez said during a Quad Committee hearing on Wednesday.
During the hearing, former Duterte admitted he was unaware of the number of police officers who were dismissed or charged while enforcing his war on drugs, which resulted in thousands of deaths.
Officers feeling the burden
Fernandez highlighted that some officers were unaware the orders they followed could lead to legal consequences. Many believed they were following lawful directives from Duterte and former police chief, now Sen. Bato dela Rosa.
“Sabi nga ni Chief PNP maraming mga pulis ang mga na-dismiss, 195 yung mga na-dismiss tapos 398 facing dismissal,” Fernandez said. “So papaano iyung pamilya nila? Nawalan sila ng jobs, nawala iyung kanilang life, iyung kanilang dignity as well in following those orders.”
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers added that many officers are struggling financially due to legal fees.
“Base po sa datos na binigay ni Chief PNP Marbil ay marami pong miyembro ng PNP ay nahaharap sa mga kasong administratibo at kasong kriminal and nangangailangan po sila ng abogado,” Barbers said, noting that some officers resorted to loans to pay for legal representation.
Calls for assistance
Manila Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante stressed that the goal of the inquiry would be to assist officers, not punish them, particularly those willing to reveal the truth about their orders.
“Sa Quad Comm naman ay hindi upang parusahan natin ang kapulisan kundi para tulungan din natin,” Abante said. He also suggested seeking witness protection for officers willing to speak out, in coordination with the Department of Justice.
Zambales Rep. Jay Khonghun expressed dismay over the situation of officers who believed they were acting under lawful directives.
“Again, this cases is stemming up from their obedience sa Presidential directive dati ni Presidente Digong,” Khonghun said. “So nakakalungkot lang na napabayaan yung mga police.”
Urging officers to speak out
Fernandez provided data on the impact of the anti-drug campaign on police officers, sharing that 1,286 officers were either killed or wounded, while 214 are facing administrative and criminal cases. Of those, 195 have been dismissed, with 398 others facing possible dismissal.
He called on affected officers to share their experiences as part of the inquiry.
“So well, nananawagan din po kami sa inyo kasi nga kayo biktima rin kayo rito ng war on drugs,” Fernandez said. “If ever that you wanted to avail para madinig po namin kayo, so iniimbitahan din po namin kayo na makipag-ugnayan po kayo sa Quad Comm.”