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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Will Caramat spill beans on Duterte drug war killings? Barbers is mum on it 

Will Caramat spill beans on Duterte drug war killings? Barbers is mum on it 

Published Aug 9, 2024 03:56 pm

At A Glance

  • Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers refuses to confirm or deny if Police Major Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. would attend the upcoming hearings of the so-called House quad-committee (quad-comm) investigation as a resource person. 

20240702_091355.jpgSurigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILABULLETIN)

 

 

 

 

 

 



Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers refuses to confirm or deny if Police Major Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. would attend the upcoming hearings of the so-called House quad-committee (quad-comm) investigation as a resource person. 

In a Zoom interview Friday, Aug. 9, Barbers bared that several active and retired members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) officers have expressed willingness to shed light on the bloody war on drugs of the previous Duterte administration. 

“Marami na po ang nagpapadala ng feelers dito sa quad-comm na maaaring makatulong sa ating investigation,” said Barbers, chairman of the Committee on Dangerous Drugs. 

(A lot have already sent feelers to the quad-comm and they can help with our investigations.) 

He was referring to the comprehensive inquiry that would look into possible connection between illegal Philippine Offshore Gambling Operators (POGOs) and drug trafficking and extrajudicial killings (EJKs) linked to the previous administration’s anti-drug campaign. 

Barbers is one of the chairmen of the quad-comm or four-way panel. 

What the Nacionalista Party (NP) stalwart wouldn't say is whether or not Caramat is among those who have sent feelers. 

“As to who they are, kung sinu-sino itong mga ito, siguro for the meantime, medyo i- anonymous muna natin to protect also their safety. Kasi nga, baka biglang matakot at hindi na po tumuloy," Barbers said. 
 

READ THIS:

https://mb.com.ph/2024/8/9/barbers-dela-rosa-s-claim-just-marites


(As to their identities, maybe let's keep it anonymous for the meantime to protect their safety. It's possible that they can get frightened and not attend at all.) 

"So, we're very, very careful about this because we want to help them too,” he noted.
 

Caramat--according to Rodrigo ally Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa--had allegedly been pressured by the House leadership to testify before the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the Duterte drug war deaths. 

Ranking House members have denied this, and instead claimed that it was Caramat who offered to tell all to the ICC about the EJKs in exchange for an endorsement to be the next PNP chief. 

Barbers told potential informants that they cannot demand any favor in exchange for speaking up before the quad-comm hearings, the first of which would be held on Aug. 15.

Related Tags

Robert Ace Barbers drug war Romeo Caramat Rodrigo Duterte quad-committee
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