DOJ vows to pursue probe on 'extrajudicial killings' during past drug operations
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday, Nov. 6, vowed to investigate suspected extrajudicial killings that took place during the drug war of the administration of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
Newly appointed Prosecutor General Richard Anthony D. Fadullon told journalists “there is nothing which will prevent us from looking into cold cases.”
“Remember meron tayong tinatawag na prescriptive period for cases (we have prescriptive period for cases),” said Fadullon who explained that there are cases that have to be filed in court within a certain period.
As to murder and homicide cases, Fadullon said “ang prescriptive period n’yan is 20 years (the prescriptive period is 20 years).”
Fadullon made the assurance following reports that DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla has issued a memorandum that ordered the creation of task force made up of prosecutors and agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) that will look into the EJKs.
He said the directive was issued pursuant to Department Circular (DC) 15 and 20 that the secretary himself issued.
Under DC 20 which was issued on Mar. 31, Fadullon said “prosecutors are supposed to take an active role in helping the law enforcement in building up cases.”
While DC 15, which was issued last July 10, contains the new Rules on Preliminary Investigations and Inquest Proceedings.
Fadullon admitted that the investigation into the EJKs will be “a very big task kasi babalik-tanawin mo ‘yung mga records ng mga nakaraang operations, tsaka mga nakaraang kaso (because a review will have to be made of past operations and past cases).”
“Malaking trabaho pero kahit anong malaking trabaho nagsisimula ‘yan sa maliit na simula (It is a tremendous work but any large work starts from small ones),” he pointed out.
“Sisimulan natin sa maliit at kung halimbawa tayo ay magtagumpay doon sa pangangalap ng ebidensya doon sa mga maliliit na kaso chances are if we persevere we will be able to help develop cases for filing in court (We will start small ones and, for example, we find success in looking for evidence then from small cases chances are, if we persevere, we will be able to develop case for filing in court),” he added.