DRUG WAR composite image from Inquirer file photos
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) will initiate a preliminary investigation into the Duterte administration’s drug war upon receiving the House of Representatives Quad Committee’s report and affidavits related to the probe.
Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said this on Sunday when asked about the quad panel’s latest discovery on the killings of three Chinese in the Davao Penal and Prison Farm in August 2016, retired general and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga, and former Tanauan, Batangas mayor Antonio Halili.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Garma links PNP official to Batangas mayor’s assassination
FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO Class suspensions on Oct. 22 due to tropical storm Kristine NEWSINFO Tropical Storm Kristine slightly intensifies; Signal No. 2 in 5 areas NEWSINFO AFP reprimands cadet who asked for Marcos wrist watch“We will initiate the preliminary investigation and case build-up once Congress refers its committee report together with the affidavits or when somebody files a complaint against those responsible. Here, it could be the police or private complainants. There must be an initiatory process,” Vasquez told reporters in a message.
According to the police, Barayuga was shot dead in July 2020 on his way home from the PCSO headquarters in Mandaluyong City.
Article continues after this advertisementReports said he was gunned down by an unidentified assailant on a motorcycle at the corner of Calbayog and Malinaw Streets in Barangay Highway Hills.
Article continues after this advertisementMeanwhile, Halili was shot during a flag-raising ceremony in July 2018, and investigators found the nest used by a sniper just around a hundred meters away from the site of the flag ceremony.
Article continues after this advertisementHalili was known for shaming drug suspects and other criminals by parading them around the city.
During the previous and the latest hearings, retired police colonel Royina Garma was linked to the killing of Barayuga and alleged that a Philippine National Police (PNP) officer reportedly “bragged” about being behind the death of Halili.
Article continues after this advertisementGarma also alleged that former President Rodrigo Duterte and other high-ranking officials during his administration sanctioned covert operations replicating Davao City’s model of extrajudicial killings on a national scale.
In her affidavit, Garma disclosed that Duterte allegedly contacted her about the creation of a national task force, and among the key figures in implementing the reported scheme was Colonel Edilberto Leonardo.
Garma said Leonardo purportedly collaborated with Duterte and his aide, now Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, to establish a new task force comprising “liquidators” nationwide.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
She also revealed that Leonardo allegedly conducted briefings for all Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency officials and even PNP chiefs. He had the final authority on who would be on the watchlist.nice88
READ NEXT PCG: 3 vessels caught trawling MILF field commander slain in Cotabato gun attack EDITORS' PICK NBA: Nuggets give Aaron Gordon 4-year, $133M extension INQside Look with senatorial aspirant Tito Sotto UPDATES: 2025 elections precampaign stories Heart Evangelista: Woman to woman, I never had a problem with Pia Wurtzbach WPS: US missile deployment to PH key for combat readiness – US general VP Sara Duterte says she still sees Sen. Marcos as a 'friend' MOST READ SC issues TRO vs Comelec resolution on dismissed public officials Tropical Storm Kristine slightly intensifies; Signal No. 2 in 5 areas LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Storm Kristine Espenido retracts drug-related allegations vs De Lima View comments