The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is leading the hearing on the drug war launched under the leadership of former President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, October 28.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, the chair of the Senate justice committee, is scheduled to preside over the hearings.
The Senate's motu proprio inquiry for legislative assistance on the war on drugs came after witnesses to the Quad Committee of the House of Representatives investigated Duterte on extrajudicial killings, as part of his anti-drug campaign.
Former PCSO general manager and CIDG officer Royina Garma stated that she was instructed to find police officers who are Iglesia Ni Cristo and can replicate the Davao Model in implementing the drug war at the national level.
Garma said the Davao model is a pay-and-reward system, which incentivizes policemen who can kill drug suspects. He also revealed the involvement of former Presidential Adviser and now Sen. Bong Go in organizing the task force for police operations.
Meanwhile, self-confessed drug lord Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa also accused former Philippine National Police chief and now Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa who investigated former Sen. Leila de Lima, Peter Lim and other personalities in illegal drug operations.
Because of this, Dela Rosa announced that they will launch a separate investigation into the drug wars in the Senate.
Dela Rosa announced that Duterte attended the Senate hearing to answer the accusations against the drug war. However, the former president was unable to attend the previous Quad Comm hearing last week because he was not feeling well.
Pimentel said the Senate hearing will continue even without the former president. Family members of people killed in the drug war that has killed thousands are also expected to attend today's hearing.
