Former President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa may be invited to testify in the House Quad Committee’s ongoing investigations into extrajudicial killings (EJKs) linked to Duterte’s anti-drug campaign and the operations of illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs). Manila 6th District Representative and QuadComm co-chair Benny Abante confirmed that the panel is considering summoning Duterte.
The QuadComm hearing follows former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office manager Royina Garma’s testimony, where she revealed that Duterte sought to implement the “Davao model” of the drug war nationwide, which included rewards for killing drug suspects.
Abante mentioned that Dela Rosa, a key figure in Duterte’s drug war, could also be asked to attend, especially after accusations surfaced against him for allegedly pressuring witnesses to implicate others in the drug trade. Although Dela Rosa has previously declined similar invitations citing inter-parliamentary courtesy, Abante hopes he will cooperate.
Senator Dela Rosa, in response to recent allegations, threatened physical confrontation with accuser Kerwin Espinosa, whom he accused of lying.