Justice Minister Jesus Crispin Remulla stated that the government will not abandon investigations into any public figures named during the Quadcom extrajudicial killings (EJK) hearings, including former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Remulla made the statement shortly after meeting with officials from the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), adding that the government will act based on evidence.
"No matter who they are. It's important that people know the truth," Remulla said.
Remulla emphasized that the policy remains effective even if Duterte is involved.
"There will be nothing sacred. It's important that you pay back to society for your sins. That's it. It's about sin and punishment," he said.
Meanwhile, CIDG Director Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III confirmed that they will collaborate with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate allegations raised during the legislative investigation in the House of Representatives.
He highlighted that the families of EJK victims saw a glimmer of hope during the House hearings.
"Well, we understand how they feel now, because it's natural for victims, especially the families of victims, to seek justice, and this is where the wheels of justice start turning for them," he said.
"If our investigation into unresolved cases goes in the wrong direction, we'll tell you what to say. If we find any connections with anyone, including the former president, then so be it, if the evidence is solid, we will include them in the charges," Torre said.
He added that undiscovered evidence, including testimonies in legislative investigations, will determine the responsibility of those involved (if any).
"Well, extrajudicial killings, that would be murder. So, the instigators will differ, there are different types of main defendants. There might be (have) direct involvement, or through inducement, or indispensable cooperation. Therefore, if the evidence is so, we proceed. If not, we have no choice (we will just see what the evidence shows, and then we will categorize them). But it mainly depends on the evidence we collect, whether they will be charged," Torre said.
The House Quadcom has been investigating alleged extrajudicial killings during Duterte's anti-drug war.
Retired Police Colonel and former head of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Royina Garma, revealed at the hearing that Duterte approved extrajudicial executions of drug suspects.
