Photo credit: Congress PH

The House Committee on Human Rights, chaired by Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., reconvened on Wednesday to delve into the ongoing controversy surrounding alleged extrajudicial killings (EJK) during the previous administration's drug war.

Chairman Abante emphasized the committee's commitment to fairness and impartiality, aiming to provide a platform for all stakeholders, including state actors responsible for executing the drug war, to present their perspectives.

Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong raised concerns about vigilante killings with unidentified perpetrators, highlighting the lack of progress in resolving these cases and its impact on public safety perceptions.

Atty. Kristina Conti from the National Union of People's Lawyers (NUPL-NCR) detailed cases of EJK victims, including minors and individuals not conclusively linked to drug activities in police records.

Police Brigadier General Matthew Baccay of the CIDG - DIDM assured the committee of the PNP's cooperation in assisting families of EJK victims and urged complainants to collaborate in converting shared information into prosecutable evidence.

Chairman Abante expressed confidence in the current administration's police force, contrasting it with previous administrations, and announced show cause orders for several key figures to attend the next hearing, including former NBI Director Medardo de Lemos and former PNP Chief Vicente Danao.

The inquiry continues to address critical questions surrounding the effectiveness and accountability of law enforcement actions during the drug war era, aiming to achieve transparency and justice for all affected parties.