Batangas Representative Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro revealed Monday that witness testimonies presented at the House Quad Committee hearings suggest that the Duterte administration’s war on drugs was used to target and eliminate political adversaries.
Among the witnesses were former Iloilo Mayor Jed Mabilog and Police Lieutenant Colonel Santie Mendoza of the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-PDEG). Mabilog testified that he was coerced into linking opposition leaders, including former Senators Mar Roxas and Franklin Drilon, to the drug trade under the threat of harm. Mendoza, on the other hand, alleged that he was ordered to kill Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Board Secretary Wesley Barayuga by former PCSO General Manager Royina Garma and Napolcom Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo.
“These extrajudicial killings were not just about drugs; they were also used for political vendetta,” Luistro said in a press conference. She argued that political opponents who did not support former President Rodrigo Duterte were targeted in the drug war.
Luistro highlighted that Barayuga’s name was added to the narcolist posthumously, further indicating that the list was manipulated for political and competitive reasons. She also mentioned that more individuals are coming forward to testify, with the QuadComm receiving new offers of testimony.
Panelo Responds
Salvador Panelo, Duterte’s former chief presidential legal counsel, dismissed the testimonies, urging lawmakers not to accept them as absolute truth. He argued that Mabilog’s claims were illogical, noting that many local leaders who didn’t support Duterte weren’t included in the drug list.
Panelo also emphasized that courts, not lawmakers, should assess the validity of the testimonies and suggested that Luistro assist Mabilog in filing a case if she truly believes his claims. He accused Luistro of potentially engaging in a political smear campaign against Duterte.
Duterte and his administration are currently under investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity tied to the drug war, which resulted in thousands of deaths. While official records cite around 6,000 deaths, human rights groups estimate the toll could be as high as 30,000, including vigilante killings.
Mabilog has expressed his willingness to testify before the ICC, but Duterte maintains that the Philippines is no longer under the ICC’s jurisdiction following its withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019.
The House Quad Committee is expected to resume hearings after the filing of candidacies in October.