House lawmakers optimistic Duterte will attend drug war probe

THERE GOES DECORUM The nation had a fresh dose of the expletive-laden rants of Rodrigo Duterte on Oct. 28, 2024, as the former President appeared at the Senate and faced, for the first time since the end of his term, an official body revisiting his bloody war on drugs. —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers have expressed optimism that former President Rodrigo Duterte will attend the House quad committee’s November 7 hearing on his administration’s drug war.

Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, a member of the quad panel, said “there is no reason” for Duterte not to attend the House probe since he already appeared before a Senate hearing on the drug war.

“I am still optimistic that [former] President Duterte will come and join us in the hearing of the quad committee,” Adiong said in a press conference on Wednesday.

Cagayan de Oro 1st District Rep. Lordan Suan and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon said they were also hoping Duterte would attend.

Bongalon added that Duterte has nothing to worry about as “due courtesy will always be given” to him.

Cursing, jokes not be allowed in House probe

Adiong also assured the public that the hearing would be conducted seriously.

“We will not allow anybody or anyone, to make a very serious matter, turn it, and trivialize it, and make it as a joke. We will not allow anyone or anybody to swear or curse, especially if we’re talking about lives lost and the implementation of a state policy,” he said.

READ: Estrada’s joke draws Hontiveros’ ire: Drug war probe not a laughing matter

“We can assure [the public] that hopefully, if he attends the quad committee, this will be serious and we will go down on details. So his participation in the next hearings is very important,” he added.

Last month, Duterte was invited to attend the quad panel’s hearing to “provide valuable insights” related to the ongoing probe, based on a document signed by quad committee chair and Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Ace Barbers dated October 18.

Duterte attended the October 28 Senate hearing, where he admitted that he organized a seven-man hit squad when he was Davao City mayor. He said he did not tap police officers as they might be in a quandary if they got suspended for the operations.

Duterte also pointed out that the term “death squad” was loosely used, but he revealed that all national police chiefs he appointed — Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, retired police Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao, retired Gen. Archie Gamboa, and retired Gen. Debold Sinas — led death squads.

The former president clarified that he did not order the summary killing of anyone, but he admitted that his directive was to encourage suspects to fight so that they could be killed. (with reports from Emmanuel John Abris, intern)