📷 POLITIKO
CONSIDERED as among the most trusted lieutenants for former President Rodrigo Duterte, Solicitor General Medardo Guevarra has admitted there were indeed blatant human right violations committed during the war against drugs under the previous administration where he served as Justice Secretary.
During the initial hearing conducted by the House Committee on Human Rights, Guevarra was asked to divulge the actions taken by the Department of Justice (DOJ) over the complaints about the irregularities in police anti drug operations which resulted in the death of thousands of drug suspects and civilians.
Guevarra, then DOJ chief, said that they conducted investigations over 900 complaints – but was reduced to 52 which he claims had the strongest evidence that could secure convictions of abusive police operatives.
“I don’t think there’s any disagreement that there have indeed been incidents of human rights violations not just during the drug war, but other incidents of … extrajudicial killings, torture, enforced disappearances and other serious violations of the right to life, liberty and security,” Guevarra admitted.
He also conceded that government actions are not enough though, even as he insisted that the executive department did its share.
“But although probably not sufficient from the point of view of human rights advocates, the executive department has done its share in accordance with procedure in prosecuting and investigating these abuses.”
Despite being a Duterte appointee, Guevarra finds it rather proper to support the congressional probe, which wasn’t the case during the previous administration.
“Finally the legislative branch has done its share to investigate these alleged abuses during the war on drugs. It might have been late but forthcoming nonetheless.”
In response to Guevarra’s statement, militant partylist Rep. France Castro said that the minimal action of the DOJ under his watch only gets to show that the agency could be liable for what she aptly referred to as a cover-up. (ANGEL F. JOSE)
