A HOUSE of Representatives quad-committee has formally invited former President Rodrigo Duterte to participate in an ongoing investigation into extrajudicial killings (EJKs) and the implementation of his controversial war on drugs.
This development follows bombshell testimony from witness Leopoldo “Tata” Tan Jr., who claimed Duterte directly ordered the 2016 killing of three Chinese drug lords incarcerated at the Davao Prison and Penal Farm (DPPF).
Tan alleged Duterte personally congratulated the then-DPPF officer-in-charge, Supt. Gerardo Padilla, for carrying out the killings.
In light of these serious allegations, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. made a motion to summon Duterte before the committee to respond.
The motion was approved by Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, who chairs both the Committee on Dangerous Drugs and the quad-committee itself.
Witnesses implicate Duterte in Davao Prison killings
Two witnesses testifying before a House of Representatives quad-committee have linked former President Duterte to the alleged murders of three Chinese drug lords at the Davao Prison and Penal Farm (DPPF) in 2016.
During the House mega-panel’s hearing on Thursday, Aug. 22, two persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) alleged that Duterte was involved in the killing of three alleged Chinese drug lords in Davao City.
PDLs Leopoldo Tan Jr. and Fernando “Andy” Magdadaro claimed during the hearing that Duterte is involved in the killings of Chu Kin Tung, alias Tony Lim; Li Lan Yan, alias Jackson Li; and Wong Meng Pin, alias Wang Ming Ping, who were detained at the maximum security facility of the Davao Prison and Penal Farm in Davao del Norte.
Fernando Magdadaro and Leopoldo Tan, under oath, recounted how they fatally stabbed Chu Kin Tung (alias Tony Lim), Li Lan Yan (alias Jackson Li), and Wong Meng Pin (alias Wang Ming Ping) inside a prison cell.
They claimed they were instructed to carry out the killings by authorities connected to the Duterte administration.
Tan further testified that he overheard DPPF officer-in-charge Superintendent Gerardo Padilla on a phone call with a voice he recognized as Duterte.
The voice allegedly said, “Congrats, job well done on killing the three Chinese, but it was too much that they made it bloody.”
Tan claims Padilla later confirmed it was indeed Duterte on the call.
Tan has been convicted of violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, while Magdadaro for murder and illegal possession of firearms. They were both detained at the Davao prison facility.
Also, Lawyer Salvador Panelo, Duterte’s former spokesperson, said Duterte’s “enemies” are using “convicted felons” to link the former president to the killings, adding that the witnesses “have nothing to lose since they are jailed for life.”
Meanwhile, Duterte has yet to respond regarding the matter.
