DOJ, PNP to review more drug war deaths

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice and the Philippine National Police are set to review more drug war deaths apart from the 52 cases initially submitted by the PNP to the DOJ.

“We are planning to hold the meeting within this week. Just waiting for PNP chief (Gen. Guillermo Eleazar’s) confirmation,” DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra said yesterday.

“We will also discuss a review of drug death cases other than the 52 cases turned over by the PNP to the DOJ, as well as the investigation of similar cases that may arise in the future,” he added.

The agencies decided to include other drug operation cases after President Duterte said during the recent United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 22 that his administration would make accountable anti-drug operatives who acted “beyond bounds.”

Duterte also informed the General Assembly that he had given instructions to the PNP and DOJ “to review the conduct of our campaign against illegal drugs. Those found to have acted beyond bounds during operations shall be made accountable before our laws.”

Two weeks ago, the DOJ submitted to President Duterte the findings and recommendations of the review panel on the 52 police drug operations that led to deaths. But the DOJ has not yet released the report to the public.

In previous interviews, Guevarra said they would follow the trail of the evidence.

But he had also said that the success of their panel would depend on the extent of cooperation that would be given by the victims’ families as well as those who witnessed or have valuable knowledge about any of the 52 drug war cases.

He had also told witnesses and the victims’ families that they could file their complaints directly with the DOJ or the Office of the Ombudsman even without waiting for the findings of the review panel.