Ex-president Duterte shows up at House quad comm drug war hearing | INQToday

Summary

Former President Rodrigo Duterte attended the House Quad Committee's drug war hearing on November 13, 2024, after initial cancellations. Accompanied by lawyer Salvador Panelo, Duterte’s attendance followed public pressure from his supporters. The hearing focused on the investigation into extrajudicial killings during his administration’s anti-drug campaign. Retired police Colonel Roena Garma testified about a reward system linked to Duterte's drug war, a claim the former president denied. The committee continues to probe allegations surrounding Duterte’s policies and their consequences.

Takeaways

• 😀 Former President Rodrigo Duterte is finally attending the House Quad Committee's drug war hearing on November 13, 2024.
• 😀 Duterte arrived at the Batasang Pambansa complex's People Center at 9:57 a.m., accompanied by his former spokesperson, Salvador Panelo.
• 😀 The hearing was initially cancelled but was rescheduled after Duterte supporters on social media expressed frustration about his absence.
• 😀 Quad Committee presiding officer, Robert Ace Barber, confirmed the hearing would proceed after reviewing and verifying testimonies.
• 😀 Duterte's name has been frequently mentioned in the committee's probe into extrajudicial killings during his anti-drug campaign.
• 😀 Retired Police Colonel Roena Garma previously testified about the existence of a reward system in Duterte's drug war, which she claims he personally discussed with her in 2016.
• 😀 Garma also stated that Duterte called her to discuss creating a national task force based on the so-called 'Davao template.'
• 😀 In a previous Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee hearing, Duterte denied Garma's claims and accused her of lying about the events.
• 😀 The Quad Committee is focused on investigating the controversial anti-drug campaign that took place during Duterte's presidency.
• 😀 The hearing is part of ongoing scrutiny over alleged extrajudicial killings and other controversial aspects of Duterte's war on drugs.

Q & A

Why was the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs' hearing on Rodrigo Duterte initially canceled?

The hearing was initially canceled because the committee needed to review and verify testimonies before proceeding.

What event led to the rescheduling of the hearing involving former president Duterte?

The hearing was rescheduled after Duterte's supporters on social media voiced concerns, and House Secretary General Reginald Velasco confirmed the hearing would proceed at around 2:56 a.m. on Wednesday.

What time did Duterte arrive at the Batasang Pambansa complex for the hearing?

Duterte arrived at the Batasang Pambansa complex at 9:57 a.m. on Wednesday, November 13.

Who accompanied former president Duterte to the hearing?

Duterte was accompanied by his former spokesperson, lawyer Salvador Panelo.

What has been the role of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs (Quadcom) in relation to Duterte's anti-drug campaign?

The committee is probing extrajudicial killings that occurred during Duterte's administration's anti-drug campaign.

What claim did retired police Colonel Roena Garma make during a previous hearing?

Retired police Colonel Roena Garma claimed that there was a reward system in Duterte's drug war and that Duterte had called her in 2016 to create a task force implementing a 'Davao template' nationwide.

How did Duterte respond to Garma's testimony during the Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee hearing?

Duterte disputed Garma's claims, saying that the former police official was lying.

What was the nature of the 'Davao template' mentioned in Garma's testimony?

The 'Davao template' referred to a strategy used in Duterte's anti-drug campaign in Davao City, which was proposed to be implemented on a national scale.

Who is Robert Ace Barbers and what role did he play in the initial cancellation of the hearing?

Robert Ace Barbers is the presiding officer of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs (Quadcom). He initially canceled the hearing because the committee needed more time to review testimonies.

Why did Duterte’s supporters criticize the committee's handling of the hearing?

Duterte's supporters criticized the committee because they claimed that Duterte was ready to face the panels and attend the hearing, but it was still canceled and rescheduled.