A lawmaker has urged the Supreme Court (SC) to designate special courts to hear cases of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte as well as conduct a trial on him and his supposed co-conspirators.

Manila 2nd district Rep. Rolando Valeriano, chairman of the House committee on Metro Manila Development, made the call on Tuesday, Jan. 21, as the House quad-committee (quad-comm) resumed its investigation into Duterte’s war on drugs.

“On behalf of the tokhang victims and their families in my district, I stand with fellow Manila Congressman Benny Abante, and the quad-comm chairmen and members,” he said in a statement.

Tokhang is a portmanteau of Visayan words "katok" (knock) and "hangyo" (plead).

“I suggest to the [SC] the designation of special courts on tokhang [EJKs] that will conduct the trials of former president Rodrigo Duterte, his co-conspirators, and their legion of minions who served as accomplices and accessories,” he added.

The lawmaker said it is now in the power of the High Court to designate a special court based on the Judiciary Reorganization Act.

He argued that all EJK-related cases must have a special court so that the trials would be expedited and justice would be served to the thousands of victims of the drug war.

“I appeal to the SC justices to study my suggestion on special courts, while the Department of Justice (DOJ) follows through on the quad-comm recommendations and findings,” he said.

“I put forward this special courts proposal, without prejudice to the trial by the International Criminal Court,” he added.