
CALL FOR JUSTICE
ASSISTANT Minority Leader Camarines Sur Representative Gabriel Bordado Jr. has urged lawmakers to take decisive action following the adoption of the House Quad Committee’s report on extrajudicial killings (EJKs).
In a manifestation read at the resumption of the House Quad Committee hearing, Bordado called for justice for the victims of the previous administration’s controversial war on drugs, describing it as a dark chapter in Philippine history.
“Mr. Chairman, I wish to echo the voices of countless families whose loved ones fell victim to the tragic consequences of the previous administration’s war on drugs,” Bordado said.
“These innocent lives, taken without due process, cry out for justice—a justice that this august chamber has seriously considered by adopting the House Quad Committee’s report on extrajudicial killings,” he added.
The committee’s findings revealed a systemic disregard for human rights during the war on drugs, painting a grim picture of widespread violence and impunity.
The report, which includes evidence such as testimonies, legislative gaps, and admissions from former officials, underscored the need for accountability.
Bordado directly quoted quad committee over-all chairman Robert Ace Barbers “former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs was a catastrophic failure. It corrupted the PNP, promoted impunity, and led to widespread human rights abuses.”
The committee’s report recommends pursuing charges under Republic Act 9851, which addresses crimes against international humanitarian law, genocide, and other crimes against humanity.
Bordado emphasized that the move is a significant step toward accountability, demonstrating a commitment to uphold the rule of law.
“This is not simply a matter of looking back at a dark chapter in our history. It is about ensuring that no administration—present or future—will ever again exploit the powers of government to wage a war that disregards due process, human dignity, and the rule of law,” Bordado stressed.
He also expressed strong support for the legislative proposals outlined in the quad committee’s report, including: the classification of extrajudicial killings as heinous crimes; the prohibition of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), which have been linked to illegal drugs and money laundering; strengthening mechanisms for civil forfeiture of unlawfully acquired properties; and establishing the Philippine National Police Internal Affairs as an independent and autonomous agency.