ANG mga rebelasyon umano ng dalawang preso na naguugnay kay dating Pangulong Rodrigo R. Duterte sa pagpatay sa tatlong nakakulong na Chinese drug lord ay maaaring makapagpalakas sa kasong “crimes against humanity,” kung mapatutunayan na sistematiko ang pagpatay na ito sa mga sibilyan sa ngalan ng war on drugs campaign ng nakaraang administrasyon.

Ito ang sinabi ni Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro, isang abogado, sa pagdinig ng quad committee ng Kamara de Representantes, at nagtanong sa mga testigo na sina Fernando “Andy” Magdadaro at Leopoldo Tan Jr., na umamin at nahatulan sa pagpatay sa tatlong Chinese drug lord sa maximum security facility ng Davao Prison and Penal Farm (DPPF) sa Davao del Norte.

“I humbly submit, that at the very least, the crime of murder under the Revised Penal Code, particularly under Article 248 has been established. Two qualifying circumstances are present. One, is evident premeditation, pinagplanuhan ang pagpatay. Second, killing was done in consideration of prize, reward or pledge, ang pagpatay ay dahil sa ibinayad na pera at ipinangakong kalayaan,” ani Luistro.

“However, Mr. Chair, if there are evidence to establish that this incident is part of the widespread or systematic attack against civilian population, then Crime Against Humanity, under Article 7, Rome Statute is likewise established,” sabi pa nito.

Ayon kay Tan, tinawagan ni dating Pangulong Duterte ang isang opisyal ng kulungan upang batiin ito sa pagkakapatay sa tatlong Chinese drug lord.

Noong Huwebes ay muling nagsagawa ng pagdinig ang quad committee sa kaugnayan ng iligal na operasyon ng mga Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO), bentahan ng iligal na droga, at mga extrajudicial killing (EJK) sa ilalim ng war on drugs campaign at iba pang krimen na may kaugnayan dito.

Ang unang bahagi ng pagdinig ay sumentro sa EJK kung saan humarap sina Tan at Magdadaro.

Ang EJK ay iniimbestigahan ng International Criminal Court (ICC) kaugnay ng kasong crimes against humanity na isinampa laban kay dating Pangulong Duterte.

“I humbly submit, Mr. Chair, that on the assumption that there are other evidence to establish the widespread and systematic attack against civilian population, we have a case for extrajudicial killing, Mr. Chair. And I urge the honorable members of quad comm and even of the 19th Congress, this is not only illegal — this is immoral, let us work together: condemn and fight extrajudicial killing,” sabi ni Luistro.

Sinabi ni Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante, chair ng House committee on human rights, na isa sa mga komite na bumubuo sa quad committee, sa kanyang opening statement na ang layunin ng imbestigasyon ay malaman ang katotohanan at mabigyan ng hustisya ang mga biktima.

“Hustisya po ang pakay natin, hindi harassment. I call upon all who have been summoned to testify to fulfill their duty as public servants. Let all sides be heard, and let no one say that they were not given the opportunity to present evidence in their defense,” ani Abante.

“What the leadership of the House is doing is unprecedented. We are here, united across several committees, to confront and address some of the gravest challenges facing our nation: the proliferation of POGOs, the scourge of illegal drugs, and the devastating reality of extrajudicial killings,” dagdag pa nito.

Sinabi ni Abante na ang mga insidente ay magkakahiwalay ngunit kung pagsasama-samahin at mapatutunayan na magkakaugnay ay makikita na ito ay isang banta sa lipunan.

“These evils, left unchecked, have the power to erode our values, destroy our communities, and claim the lives of our kababayan. That is why the House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, has committed substantial resources to this investigation,” sabi ni Abante.

“Inaction, in the face of evil, is not an option. We must respond with determination, with integrity, and with a clear sense of purpose. We must send a message that those who would exploit, endanger, or violate the rights of our people will find no refuge in this nation,” dagdag pa nito.

“Hindi sila pwede magtago. Mananagot sila. They will be held accountable regardless of their rank or station — or the size of their bank account,” sabi pa ni Abante.

Iniugnay nina Tan at Magdadaro si dating Pangulong Duterte sa pagpatay kina Chu Kin Tung, alyas Tony Lim; Li Lan Yan, alyas Jackson Li; at Wong Meng Pin, alyas Wang Ming Ping, sa DPPF noong 2016.

Ang dalawa ang pinakabagong mga testigo na humarap sa pagdinig ng quad committee.