The Philippines Justice Minister, Menardo Guevarra has disclosed that the nation will look into thousands of killings in President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, after a review of a sample of cases indicated foul play in dozens of deadly police operations.
In a statement, Guevarra noted that his Department of Justice (DOJ) would expand its review to the more than 6,000 killings during police operations, after which many officers were cleared of wrongdoing in internal police investigations.
Speaking with newsmen, he said “Time and resources permitting, the DOJ will review these thousands of other cases, too”.
This move is can be seen as a shift from the Philippines’ unflinching defence of the drugs war, which has seen the government scold critics and activists who alleged there were systematic executions of drug suspects by police.
It is imperative to note that the Philippines has been under pressure from the United Nations to hold a thorough probe and the International Criminal Court recently announced it would investigate the crackdown.
The government had always maintained that it will not cooperate because the Philippine justice system is functioning.
But the recent release that detailed 52 drug war deaths marks a rare admission by the state that abuses may have taken place.
It was said that in several of those, victims had no traces of gunpowder on their hands, or did not have a gun at all.
In the release, the Menardo Guevarra-led DOJ also said police had used excessive force, shot suspects at close range and relevant medical and police records were missing.
It was stated that the findings, which are subject to further case buildup and criminal charges, could challenge the government’s narrative of the war on drugs.
It should be noted that Duterte has for five years defended police and argued that all those killed were drug dealers who resisted arrest. He has publicly said police could kill if they believed they were in danger and he would pardon any who end up in prison.
