An independent fact-finding body was launched to investigate drug-related extrajudicial killings during Rodrigo Duterte’s six-year presidency. The commission is backed by activists and the Philippine Catholic Church and is scheduled to begin public hearings in July. It will be led by a five-member team, with Raul Pangalangan as chairman, and aims to ensure victim, survivor, and family stories are heard, verified, and preserved. The commission will make recommendations to the Office of the President, Congress, and the National Police Commission based on its findings. Cardinal Pablo Vrigilio David called the inquiry long overdue. The launch occurred shortly before the ICC trial of Duterte was set to begin in late November, while Duterte maintains his innocence.
"The five-member EJK commission is expected to hold public hearings starting in July. Raul Pangalangan, a law professor who previously worked as a judge for the ICC, said the commission "was created to ensure that the stories of victims, survivors and families are heard, verified and preserved." Pangalangan will serve as the chairman of the commission. The bloody crackdown under Duterte "happened because everybody looked the other way," Pangalangan said. "It is almost a conspiracy of silence.""
"The EJK Truth Commission came just hours ahead of a separate announcement regarding Duterte from the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Hague-based body said the trial of the 81-year-old former leader is set to start in late November. Duterte, who is still popular among many Filipinos, maintains his innocence. Duterte, who was in office from 2016 to 2022, waged a massive anti-drug campaign due to what he described as the threat of the Philippines becoming a narco state."
"The EJK commission is set to make recommendations to the Office of the President, the Congress and the National Police Commission in light of its findings. Cardinal Pablo Vrigilio David, a bishop on the EJK commission who will work as an adviser, said the inquiry is "long overdue." To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video "This is an opportunity for a catharsis.... so"
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