Palace backs plan to probe killings

[Mike J]

This could turn into a real political battle if the PNP does a real and complete investigation into to the extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration.  It appears the "marriage of convenience" between the Marcos and Duterte camp is over for good.

https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/national/palace-backs-plan-to-probe-killings/ar-AA1so0xf?cvid=ac65fc7987a74f57fedd08e0fb3214e1&ei=27

(UPDATES) MALACAÑANG on Wednesday said it supports the plan of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to reinvestigate the high-profile killings related to the war on illegal drugs during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

In a statement, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the possible reopening of the investigation showed that the Marcos administration "places the highest importance" on justice and rule of law.

"Of course," Bersamin said when asked if Malacañang supports the PNP's move.

"The reopening of the investigations of the... killings related to the war on drugs should indicate that the Marcos administration places the highest importance on the fair dispensation of justice and on the universal observance of the rule of law in the country," he added.

PNP spokesman Jean Fajardo earlier said they would look into the drug-war related killings, particularly the elected officials and other well-known personalities who were killed at the height of the anti-drug campaign.

Retired police colonel Royina Garma told the quad panel on October 11 that Duterte and other high-ranking officials from his administration sanctioned covert operations replicating the Davao City model on a national scale to provide rewards to police officers who killed drug suspects.

In her affidavit, Garma said that Duterte contacted her about the creation of a national task force, and among the key figures in implementing the scheme was Col. Edilberto Leonardo.

Garma said Leonardo purportedly collaborated with Duterte and his aide, now Sen. Bong Go, to establish a task force comprising "liquidators" nationwide. Go has denied the existence of a reward system for drug killings and said as Duterte's aide, he had no role in police operations.

Garma said Leonardo conducted briefings for all Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency officials and even chiefs of the PNP. He also had the final authority on who would be on the watchlist.

But Salvador Panelo, Duterte's former spokesman and presidential legal counsel, dismissed Garma's testimony as "pure imagination or fertile speculation."

Panelo also questioned Garma's knowledge of the operations, saying her information only came from "hearsay" and "conveyed or relayed to her by sources."

She might have "succumbed to threat or intimidation under pain of incarceration if she did not make the allegations contained in her affidavit," he said.

Money trail

Meanwhile, two co-chairmen of the House Quad Committee said they are seeking the help of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) in tracking the money trail that was allegedly used to reward police officers in Duterte's war on drugs.

Garma had told the committee that the cash rewards for carrying out the so-called extrajudicial killings were funneled through the banking system.

Human Rights Committee chairman and Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. said those who profited from the killings "must be held accountable, and the AMLC is key to tracking down these illicit transactions that led to the deaths of innocent civilians."

Public Order and Safety chairman and Laguna Rep. Danilo Fernandez said that the use of "financial institutions for illegal activities is a serious crime."

"We will follow every lead to ensure that those responsible face justice," he said.

The quad panel plans to formally request the assistance of the AMLC within the week to shed light on the full extent of the money trail behind the previous administration's anti-drug campaign.

The two members of the panel also called on police officers who received cash rewards to come forward.

"Your testimony could be critical to uncovering the truth. This is the time to speak up," Abante said.

"We are giving those involved a chance to help clear the air and ensure justice is served," Fernandez added.

At a press briefing on Wednesday, Abante questioned the ability of Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa to conduct a fair Senate investigation into the war on drugs, which he led as chief PNP during the Duterte administration.

Abante said he believed that Dela Rosa's close ties to the former president could compromise the integrity of the upcoming probe.

"I would think that he (Dela Rosa) would be more biased than actually balanced in that hearing," Abante said.

Despite his concerns, he welcomed the announced Senate investigation as a complement to the House probe, adding that it would be up to the former president to appear before either the Senate or the House quad committee.

"It's up to him actually ... Hopefully, he will come and say what he would like to say," Abante said, adding that they will monitor closely what he would say if he chooses to appear before the Senate.

Dela Rosa said that he believed the former president would attend a Senate hearing on the war on drugs if he invited him.

But he said he has not spoken to the former president yet.

Dela Rosa, who is also the target of an International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation, said he was not concerned about the House quad committee investigation because his conscience is clear, and there is no strong evidence against him.

"I have no fear. I am not directly involved in any way, except maybe in my official capacity as the chief PNP (CPNP). However, I can't monitor all my police 24/7 and what they do. Perhaps I have command responsibility as a CPNP. But if you say I have a direct hand in what is being done or what happened, I don't think they will link me," Dela Rosa said.

He denied that they had a reward system when he was PNP chief.

"I don't know that. If that happened, maybe they do it in a secretive manner that the people don't know about. But, honestly, I was not involved if there was anything like that. But ask me if that exists. I can't even say it exists because it's not to my knowledge," the senator said.

He also denied reward money was given for every drug lord or drug addict killed.

"I can't implement that, and I'm not impressed with that kind of system. I don't have the money to pay for that kind of reward system that does not have the mandate of the PNP chief," he said.

Dela Rosa added that he knows of no fund that was dedicated to that kind of reward system, even in former President Duterte's intelligence funds.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said it was crucial to include Duterte in the Senate's investigation.

 

[BrettGC]

Due process when it suits you, until it doesn't.  How's El Presidentè's tax issues going?

[craftbeerlover]

5 hours ago, Mike J said:

This could turn into a real political battle if the PNP does a real and complete investigation into to the extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration.  It appears the "marriage of convenience" between the Marcos and Duterte camp is over for good.

https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/national/palace-backs-plan-to-probe-killings/ar-AA1so0xf?cvid=ac65fc7987a74f57fedd08e0fb3214e1&ei=27

(UPDATES) MALACAÑANG on Wednesday said it supports the plan of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to reinvestigate the high-profile killings related to the war on illegal drugs during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

In a statement, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the possible reopening of the investigation showed that the Marcos administration "places the highest importance" on justice and rule of law.

"Of course," Bersamin said when asked if Malacañang supports the PNP's move.

"The reopening of the investigations of the... killings related to the war on drugs should indicate that the Marcos administration places the highest importance on the fair dispensation of justice and on the universal observance of the rule of law in the country," he added.

PNP spokesman Jean Fajardo earlier said they would look into the drug-war related killings, particularly the elected officials and other well-known personalities who were killed at the height of the anti-drug campaign.

Retired police colonel Royina Garma told the quad panel on October 11 that Duterte and other high-ranking officials from his administration sanctioned covert operations replicating the Davao City model on a national scale to provide rewards to police officers who killed drug suspects.

In her affidavit, Garma said that Duterte contacted her about the creation of a national task force, and among the key figures in implementing the scheme was Col. Edilberto Leonardo.

Garma said Leonardo purportedly collaborated with Duterte and his aide, now Sen. Bong Go, to establish a task force comprising "liquidators" nationwide. Go has denied the existence of a reward system for drug killings and said as Duterte's aide, he had no role in police operations.

Garma said Leonardo conducted briefings for all Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency officials and even chiefs of the PNP. He also had the final authority on who would be on the watchlist.

But Salvador Panelo, Duterte's former spokesman and presidential legal counsel, dismissed Garma's testimony as "pure imagination or fertile speculation."

Panelo also questioned Garma's knowledge of the operations, saying her information only came from "hearsay" and "conveyed or relayed to her by sources."

She might have "succumbed to threat or intimidation under pain of incarceration if she did not make the allegations contained in her affidavit," he said.

Money trail

Meanwhile, two co-chairmen of the House Quad Committee said they are seeking the help of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) in tracking the money trail that was allegedly used to reward police officers in Duterte's war on drugs.

Garma had told the committee that the cash rewards for carrying out the so-called extrajudicial killings were funneled through the banking system.

Human Rights Committee chairman and Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. said those who profited from the killings "must be held accountable, and the AMLC is key to tracking down these illicit transactions that led to the deaths of innocent civilians."

Public Order and Safety chairman and Laguna Rep. Danilo Fernandez said that the use of "financial institutions for illegal activities is a serious crime."

"We will follow every lead to ensure that those responsible face justice," he said.

The quad panel plans to formally request the assistance of the AMLC within the week to shed light on the full extent of the money trail behind the previous administration's anti-drug campaign.

The two members of the panel also called on police officers who received cash rewards to come forward.

"Your testimony could be critical to uncovering the truth. This is the time to speak up," Abante said.

"We are giving those involved a chance to help clear the air and ensure justice is served," Fernandez added.

At a press briefing on Wednesday, Abante questioned the ability of Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa to conduct a fair Senate investigation into the war on drugs, which he led as chief PNP during the Duterte administration.

Abante said he believed that Dela Rosa's close ties to the former president could compromise the integrity of the upcoming probe.

"I would think that he (Dela Rosa) would be more biased than actually balanced in that hearing," Abante said.

Despite his concerns, he welcomed the announced Senate investigation as a complement to the House probe, adding that it would be up to the former president to appear before either the Senate or the House quad committee.

"It's up to him actually ... Hopefully, he will come and say what he would like to say," Abante said, adding that they will monitor closely what he would say if he chooses to appear before the Senate.

Dela Rosa said that he believed the former president would attend a Senate hearing on the war on drugs if he invited him.

But he said he has not spoken to the former president yet.

Dela Rosa, who is also the target of an International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation, said he was not concerned about the House quad committee investigation because his conscience is clear, and there is no strong evidence against him.

"I have no fear. I am not directly involved in any way, except maybe in my official capacity as the chief PNP (CPNP). However, I can't monitor all my police 24/7 and what they do. Perhaps I have command responsibility as a CPNP. But if you say I have a direct hand in what is being done or what happened, I don't think they will link me," Dela Rosa said.

He denied that they had a reward system when he was PNP chief.

"I don't know that. If that happened, maybe they do it in a secretive manner that the people don't know about. But, honestly, I was not involved if there was anything like that. But ask me if that exists. I can't even say it exists because it's not to my knowledge," the senator said.

He also denied reward money was given for every drug lord or drug addict killed.

"I can't implement that, and I'm not impressed with that kind of system. I don't have the money to pay for that kind of reward system that does not have the mandate of the PNP chief," he said.

Dela Rosa added that he knows of no fund that was dedicated to that kind of reward system, even in former President Duterte's intelligence funds.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said it was crucial to include Duterte in the Senate's investigation.

 

I am as skeptical as the rest of you, but again, at least it seems he continues moving in the right direction, and not just with words.

[Gator]

I see it  as a dog and pony show to impress the world stage in an effort to say they are doing something (now give us your aide money!). They might even have a few show trials, convict a few low ranking officers (who will plead that they were just following orders) and perhaps even find a higher ranking officer to use as a scapegoat. Kind of reminds me of Nuremberg after war two. 

[craftbeerlover]

13 hours ago, Gator said:

I see it  as a dog and pony show to impress the world stage in an effort to say they are doing something (now give us your aide money!). They might even have a few show trials, convict a few low ranking officers (who will plead that they were just following orders) and perhaps even find a higher ranking officer to use as a scapegoat. Kind of reminds me of Nuremberg after war two. 

Well, he is standing up to China, he has greatly improved relations (defense and economically/trade) with Australia, Japan, South Korea, USA, Vietnam, Malaysia, Germany, France, etc...   He has closed down a billion dollar pogo industry (that I am sure took a lot of money out of alot of filipino high rollers).   Clamping down on smuggling of vegetables etc.  If it is just for show then I would rather the show head in this direction.   This country is so fck'd up no matter what anybody does, we will all be skeptical, but somebody has got to start somewhere.

[Old55]

3 hours ago, craftbeerlover said:

Well, he is standing up to China, he has greatly improved relations (defense and economically/trade) with Australia, Japan, South Korea, USA, Vietnam, Malaysia, Germany, France, etc...   He has closed down a billion dollar pogo industry (that I am sure took a lot of money out of alot of filipino high rollers).   Clamping down on smuggling of vegetables etc.  If it is just for show then I would rather the show head in this direction.   This country is so fck'd up no matter what anybody does, we will all be skeptical, but somebody has got to start somewhere.

You are correct.

I may have been wrong about Bong Bong. My wife and our Filipino family members all like him and fondly remember his Dad. 

[Possum]

Having the PNP investigate the PNP is laughable. They might finger some low level assassins but that's about it.

As for Marcos he's about average as far as Filipino presidents go. Duterte seemed unhinged but at least the presidential complaint center got results when we used them and he did clean up the traffic mess for a month or two in the province I live in.

Marcos's father I remember and not fondly. Also, when he was evacuated to the US my brother was on the security team from Camp Smith that greeted them. Customs did not fully inventory all the loot but he did tell me of gold that required forklifts to move not to mention all the other loot.  Marcos' family still owes 200 billion in estate tax here which would help out building schools and paying proper teachers.

[hk blues]

6 hours ago, craftbeerlover said:

This country is so fck'd up no matter what anybody does, we will all be skeptical, but somebody has got to start somewhere.

Well said!

[Mike J]

It is heating up and sounds like Sara Duterte is as angry as a wounded badger.  I expect Bong Bong will take away any responsibilities she has left.  The whole idea of a an election where the voters vote for a vice-president still seems strange to me.  For the vice-president to criticize the president just feels so weird.  Not really a criticism, just feels odd and wondering how this will shake out.  

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/philippine-political-rift-widens-as-vp-duterte-accuses-marcos-of-incompetence/ar-AA1suLgT?ocid=windirect&cvid=ff7f9958d07748609ac69adfa24d5ef6&ei=279

MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine vice-president Sara Duterte accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr of incompetence and a lack of leadership in a scathing attack on Friday that showed the deepening rift between the two powerful families ahead of midterm elections.

Duterte, the daughter of Marcos' predecessor, resigned from cabinet in June, signalling the collapse of a formidable political alliance that helped her and Marcos, son and namesake of the late strongman, secure their 2022 electoral victories.

"The sitting leader does not know how to become president," Duterte said during a two-hour, freewheeling press conference, where she attributed problems such as inflation and food security to what she called a lack of clear government policies.

"It's not my fault that we are in this road to hell," added Duterte, who had served as education secretary in cabinet, saying Marcos ran without a plan for his administration.

"I don't ever remember him discussing what he would do in government," she said.

Marcos would not be responding to Duterte's claims, presidential communications secretary Cesar Chavez told reporters.

Duterte's accusations come as the country gears up for mid-term elections in May 2025, seen as a litmus test of Marcos' popularity and a chance for him to consolidate power and groom a successor before his single six-year term ends in 2028.

Since their falling out, Duterte and Marcos' relationship has turned hostile, driven by policy differences and investigations into former president Rodrigo Duterte's deadly war on drugs and other scandals involving his associates.

The lower house of congress, led by House Speaker Martin Romualdez, a cousin of Marcos, has slashed funding for Duterte's office by nearly two-thirds in the proposed 2025 budget.

At one point in the press conference, Sara Duterte said she had told a Marcos family member that she would have the body of former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr, whom Rodrigo Duterte allowed to be buried in the heroes' cemetery, exhumed and thrown in the South China Sea if they did not relent in their attacks.

 

[hk blues]

3 hours ago, Mike J said:

The whole idea of a an election where the voters vote for a vice-president still seems strange to me. 

Hey, to us Brits the idea of an election where the voters vote for a president seems strange to some of us!