On its fourth public hearing, the Quad Committee of the House of Representatives was able to make Whirlwind Corporation incorporator Cassandra Li Ong admit her role in the POGO operations in Porac, Pampanga. Congress PH

In a surprising twist at Thursday's congressional Quad Committee hearing on September 12, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Senior Supt. Gerardo Padilla revealed that former President Rodrigo Duterte called him in 2016 to congratulate him after three Chinese drug lords were killed inside the Davao Prison and Penal Farm.

Padilla’s statement came as part of a supplemental affidavit, backing up an earlier claim made by Leopoldo Tan Jr. According to Padilla, he received the call from Duterte while they were heading to the investigation section. He confirmed it was the former president himself on the other end of the line.

Interestingly, in a previous affidavit dated August 27, Padilla denied receiving such a call. He explained that this earlier denial was made out of concern for his own safety and the well-being of his family.

Padilla’s testimony has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation, raising questions about the extent of Duterte’s involvement in anti-drug operations during his presidency. As more details emerge, the public awaits further developments on what has already been a highly controversial issue.