House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

The House of Representatives quad-committee, which aims to investigate possible links between alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs), illegal drugs, Philippine offshore gambling operators (POGO), and human rights violations during the bloody anti-drug campaign of former President Rodrigo Duterte, will hold its first meeting on Monday, Aug. 12.

During this organizational meeting, members of the Committees on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Human Rights, and Public Accounts will discuss the mega-panel’s agenda, ground rules, and schedule of the hearings proper.

Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, who chairs the dangerous drugs panel, is expected to start with the welcome remarks following the roll call of members.

This would be followed by opening statements from Barbers, Senior Deputy Speaker Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., Public Order and Safety panel chair Rep. Dan Fernandez. Human Rights panel chair Bienvenido Abante Jr, and Public Accounts panel chair Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano.

According to Barbers, the first quad-comm hearing is scheduled on Friday, Aug. 16. It will be held in Pampanga.

Three areas in the province bear significance to the committee. 

In Porac town, it is the location of the illegal POGO hub which was recently shut down; Mabalacat City is where P1.3 billion worth of shabu was discovered; Lastly, a larger P3.6-billion worth of shabu shipment was seized last September 2023 in Mexico town.

“Mayroon pang witnesses na nandyan malapit sa lugar na ‘yan na pwedeng humarap at pwedeng magbigay ng information. Kaya dadalhin natin ang committee dyan sa lugar na yan,” said Barbers.

(There are other witnesses who are from near that place who can come forward and provide information. So we will take the committee to that place.)

“Kasi dun nga sa usapin ng POGO, human trafficking, torture, human rights violation at saka yung alleged drugs, eh maaring mayroon mga mag-share mga information dyan,” he added.

(Because on the issue of POGO, human trafficking, torture, human rights violation, and on the alleged drugs, there may be people who will share information there.)

For the first hearing, Barbers said the quad-comm would invite Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) personnel, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) officials, and the mayors of Porac, Pampanga and Bamban, Tarlac.

Additionally, the panel is also planning to invite high-ranking officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) including Major General Romeo Caramat and Brigadier General Eleazar Mata, among others.