Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. (left), former president Rodrigo Duterte (Facebook, MANILA BULLETIN)

The House Committee on Human Rights will be "fair and respectful" to former president Rodrigo Duterte, should he change his mind and decide to attend the inquiry on the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) committed during his administration’s war on illegal drugs. 

Committee chairman, Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr. gave this assurance to Duterte Thursday, June 27 after it was reported that the latter won't attend the panel hearings. 

The invite for Duterte to attend the hearings in the House was formalized on Tuesday. 

"If the former President Duterte chooses to appear, the committee will be as fair and respectful to him as it has been to every resource person invited to testify during the proceedings," Abante said. 

Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte won't be attending the hearing. 

According to the Manila solon, the invite to Duterte "is an opportunity for him to personally address issues that have been brought to light during our ongoing inquiry regarding the war on drugs that was undertaken during his administration". 

"We will also extend every courtesy due to a past chief executive and former member of the House," he said. 

"Let me reiterate that the goal of this inquiry is to hear all sides, listen to all perspectives, and to gather as much information possible regarding the extrajudicial killings allegedly committed in connection with the war on drugs," Abante said 

"We welcome all input, especially from the officials and personalities who were involved in the previous administration's campaign against illegal drugs, as we believe this will help the committee when it prepares its report and recommendations," he further said. 

On Tuesday, Abante said that he wants Duterte to listen to the testimonies of the relatives of the EJK victims.