Entire Senate eyed to probe drug war EJKS

If the Senate decides to launch its own investigation on extrajudicial killings during the previous administration as proposed by Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, it should do so as a committee of the whole to make it easier for witnesses and survivor-victims to testify, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said yesterday.

-  MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB and DELON PORCALLA

"I proposed to the Senate leadership to convene a Senate committee of the whole, so that the whole Senate can investigate the previous administration's war on drugs," Hontiveros said in an interview wth dzXL. "It is important to find out the truth about the bloody war on drugs, for the families of the victims of extrajudicial killings."

The quad committee, comprising four panels of the House of Representatives, has been investigating for months extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration's war on drugs, and their possible connection to Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hubs.

During one of the quad comm hearings, retired police colonel Royina Garma said Dela Rosa as national police chief facilitated the release of reward money to police officers for every drug suspect killed.

Dela Rosa denied the allegation and offered to lead a parallel Senate probe as chairman of the committee on public order and dangerous drugs. Sen. Bong Go also vowed to file a resolution calling for a Senate parallel investigation.

"Through R the committee of the whole, I am more hopeful that the 'victim survivors' of the war on drugs would testify. We should hear from them to get to the whole truth," Hontiveros said.

Senate President Francis Escudero said a parallel Senate investigation should not be led by Dela Rosa's committee.

"I have spoken to Senator Bato and have indicated that it might be self-serving and might not sit well with some members and the public for him to lead the investigation," Escudero said.

"I will consult the members of the Senate and explore all available options. I am due to meet with Senators Bato and Go over the weekend to discuss these options given that we are all out of town at the moment," he added.

For her part, Sen. Imee Marcos nixed a Senate parallel probe, saying the allegations made against the previous administration should be better threshed out in the courts.