LIVE: Senate hearing on drug-related killings

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, together with the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, will open the investigation on the spate of extrajudicial killings and summary executions of suspected drug dealers.

Sen. Leila de Lima, former Justice secretary and Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chairperson, filed the resolution which seeks a Senate inquiry on the matter.

"Extrajudicial or summary killing is homicide. Carried out premeditatedly and in conspiracy with other public authorities, it becomes mass murder, which, if left unabated and unchecked, can escalate into a crime against humanity under international law," De Lima said in filing Senate Resolution 9.

The Senate panel invited resource person from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, CHR, Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, as well as human rights and media groups.

Watch the hearing LIVE starting 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 22, 2016: