RPPe New witness testimonies can help establish a case for ‘crimes against humanity,’ says lawyer-lawmaker

The explosive revelation of two inmates that implicates former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in the 2016 killings of three convicted Chinese drug lords can establish a case for “crimes against humanity” if it can be proven that there was a widespread and systematic attack on civilians during the bloody drug war of the previous administration, 

This was the manifestation made by Batangas Rep. Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Luistro, a lawyer who questioned Thursday Quad Comm probe witness Fernando “Andy” Magdadaro on the circumstances leading to his and fellow inmate Leopoldo Tan Jr.’s admission of killing three Chinese drug lords inside the maximum security facility of the Davao Prison and Penal Farm (DPPF) in Davao del Norte.

“I humbly submit, that at the very least, the crime of murder under the Revised Penal Code, particularly under Article 248 has been established. Two qualifying circumstances are present. One, is evident premeditation, pinagplanuhan ang pagpatay. Second, killing was done in consideration of prize, reward or pledge, ang pagpatay ay dahil sa ibinayad na pera at ipinangakong kalayaan,” Luistro said.

“However, Mr. Chair, if there are evidence to establish that this incident is part of the widespread or systematic attack against civilian population, then Crime Against Humanity, under Article 7, Rome Statute is likewise established,” she said.

Tan claimed that the killings were executed under alleged direct orders from then-President Duterte, who had just initiated his controversial bloody anti-drug campaign at the time.

The Quad Comm held its second hearing on several issues such as the EJKs during the Duterte administration, legal and illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), illegal drugs syndicates, and human and sex trafficking, among others.

The first part of the hearing focused on the EJKs during the Duterte presidency that saw thousands of Filipinos dead.

The International Criminal Court is investigating ex-President Duterte for “crimes against humanity,” but the Philippines withdrew its membership during the presidency of the former chief executive.

“I humbly submit, Mr. Chair, that on the assumption that there are other evidence to establish the widespread and systematic attack against civilian population, we have a case for extrajudicial killing, Mr. Chair. And I urge the honorable members of quad comm and even of the 19th Congress, this is not only illegal – this is immoral, let us work together: condemn and fight extrajudicial killing,” Luistro said.

Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante, chair of the House Committee on Human Rights that is one of the panels comprising the Quad Comm, said in his opening statement that the goal of the investigation is not to vilify or to shield any individual but “to uncover the truth and to ensure that justice is served.” 

“Hustisya po ang pakay natin, hindi harassment. I call upon all who have been summoned to testify to fulfill their duty as public servants. Let all sides be heard, and let no one say that they were not given the opportunity to present evidence in their defense,” Abante said.

“What the leadership of the House is doing is unprecedented. We are here, united across several committees, to confront and address some of the gravest challenges facing our nation: the proliferation of POGOs, the scourge of illegal drugs, and the devastating reality of extrajudicial killings,” he added.

Abante said these are not isolated issues, but they collectively represent “a larger, more insidious threat – one that seeks to undermine the very fabric of our society.”

“These evils, left unchecked, have the power to erode our values, destroy our communities, and claim the lives of our kababayan. That is why the House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, has committed substantial resources to this investigation,” Abante said.

“Inaction, in the face of evil, is not an option. We must respond with determination, with integrity, and with a clear sense of purpose. We must send a message that those who would exploit, endanger, or violate the rights of our people will find no refuge in this nation,” Abante added.

“Hindi sila pwede magtago. Mananagot sila. They will be held accountable regardless of their rank or station—or the size of their bank account,” he said. 

Tan and Magdadaro implicated former President Duterte in the 2016 killings of three convicted Chinese drug lords inside the maximum security facility of the Davao Prison and Penal Farm (DPPF) in Davao del Norte.

They were the latest witnesses presented before the House quad-committee, which is investigating, among other issues, the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) associated with the Duterte administration’s brutal war on drugs.

During the quad-committee’s second public hearing on Thursday, Tan and Magdadaro provided their testimonies, and sworn statements detailing the events leading to their killing of three Chinese drug lords in 2016 in exchange for money and promised freedom. 

The three EJK victims—Chu Kin Tung, alias Tony Lim; Li Lan Yan, alias Jackson Li; and Wong Meng Pin, alias Wang Ming Ping—were serving sentences for their involvement in illegal drug activities and who were in a separate, heavily secured area within the prison, with two of them previously convicted for operating a drug laboratory in Parañaque City. (END)