A new independent inquiry has been launched in the Philippines to investigate alleged extrajudicial killings linked to former president Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial anti-drug campaign, marking a significant step toward accountability in one of the country’s most divisive political legacies.
The initiative, known as the EJK Truth Commission, was formally unveiled on Wednesday by activists supported by the Philippine Catholic Church. The body aims to examine drug-related killings during Duterte’s six-year presidency, a period widely criticized by human rights groups for widespread abuses.
The launch of the commission came just hours before a separate announcement from the International Criminal Court (ICC), which confirmed that Duterte’s trial on charges of crimes against humanity is scheduled to begin on November 30. The former leader, who remains in ICC custody in The Hague, has denied all allegations against him, dw.com reports.
The five-member commission will be chaired by former ICC judge Raul Pangalangan and includes a Catholic bishop as adviser. It is expected to begin public hearings in July and will focus on documenting testimonies from victims’ families, survivors, and witnesses of the anti-drug campaign.
Commission officials said their goal is to ensure that accounts of alleged abuses are properly recorded and verified, addressing what they described as a “culture of silence” surrounding the killings. They also intend to assess the role of police officers involved in the crackdown, many of whom have not faced legal consequences.
The inquiry is also expected to make recommendations to the Office of the President, Congress, and national law enforcement bodies once its findings are complete, as the Philippines continues to grapple with the legacy of a campaign that rights groups estimate left tens of thousands dead.
