Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. (Contributed photo)
 

House Committee on Human Rights Chairman Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr. scolded Philippine National Police (PNP) members for taking pictures of the relatives of alleged Duterte drug war victims during a public hearing. 

On Wednesday, June 26, the committee continued its investigation on the alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the previous administration's aggressive war on illegal drugs. Police officers attended the hearing as resource persons. 

However, some of them did something that incensed Abante. 

"Meron tayo dyan mga biktima sa labas (The victims' relatives are outside the room). And I was told that there are some police people who are taking pictures [of] them," said the veteran lawmaker. 

"I am prohibiting any police officers to take pictures of these victims. Respect this committee," a visibly furious Abante said. 

The panel chairman added that "if they (police) do not want to be held in contempt...I do not want anyone taking pictures of anybody, if you are not members of the media." 

A day earlier, the committee held a similar hearing to listen to the testimonies of the EJK victims' kin. A major takeaway from this hearing was that they were fearful of possible reprisal from police, who had supposedly carried out the bloody anti-drug operations. 

Abante ultimately had the victims' families held in a separate holding room. 

ALSO READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2024/6/25/up-next-duterte-de-lima-face-off-in-house-probe-on-bloody-drug-war

The veteran legislator earlier gave assurances that the panel would take steps to protect the victims' kin in light of their testimonies, which implicated the cops. 

Abante told victims that he "fully acknowledges the fears and the reluctance that many may feel about coming forward to testify. These fears are real; they have basis." 

"The House of Representatives is here to support you, to safeguard your rights, and to ensure your safety," added the pastor-congressman.