'Duterte, Bato free to attend House EJK probe'

The committee on human rights of the House of Representatives is not keen on sending an invitation, much less issuing a subpoena, to former president Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, but they are free to attend its inquiry on extrajudicial killings during the previous administration’s war against illegal drugs.

- DELON PORCALLA

Panel chairman and Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante said he is merely giving respect to the former chief executive, along with Dela Rosa – who served as Duterte’s national police chief – who will be extended inter-parliamentary courtesy being a member of the Senate.

“I would like to give full respect to the former president. Although he might not be exempt from this investigation, yet I think we should give full respect to the former president being a public official also. So we’re going to inform the former president on this,” he said.

The same thing will also apply to Dela Rosa, Abante stated.

“What I can promise is that we will be informing again Senator Dela Rosa on the next hearing, and if he would like to attend, then he can. We will tell him that if you would like to come, you are welcome,” he said.