Guevarra promises release of 'drug war' review report 'at proper time'
MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Friday said they are waiting for the “proper time” to release the report, or at least parts of it, on the high-level review of more than 5,000 “drug war” operations that resulted in death.
During the Laging Handa briefing on Friday, Guevarra said they Department of Justice, which led the review, will share their findings and actions taken on these at a “proper time.”
The panel’s report was submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte late December 2020. Guevarra said the report contains “certain findings, not so flattering against certain police enforcers, officers involved in drug operations.”
The justice secretary did not expound, but said Philippine National Police already has a copy of the report and they have been given time to comment on the findings.
“Be assured that these reports, at least the findings and highlights of these reports, will be made public at a proper time… There is no intent to hide,” Guevarra said, adding that transparency is important to them.
The announcement of the creation of the review panel, with Duterte’s own men leading it, was met with doubts on its credibility and motivation, as rights groups said this may just be a “ruse” to avoid international scrutiny. Adding to questions raised against the panel’s work is the exclusion of the Commission on Human Rights in the preparation of its initial report.
RELATED: CHR: 'Drug war' review report credibility may suffer if done 'in the shadows'
Guevarra had earlier said they still intend to engage the CHR for the full report for more collaborative work. But during the briefing, the DOJ chief did not answer whether other stakeholders, such as domestic rights watchdogs, will take part in the review.
Review in Visayas and Mindanao 'drug war' operations
The DOJ chief said they will also look into “drug war” operations in Visayas and Mindanao, as their initial report only covered Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog regions and in major cities.
“We do not want to make it appear that our findings in certain pilot areas… are truly representative of what is happening in the country,” he added.
United Nations special rappoerteur Agnes Callamard in a forum last week said the DOJ-led review must go beyond police officers who killed, but also look into who emboldened them to pull the trigger.
"Is the review panel prepared to tackle incitement? Is the review panel prepared to tackle those who have repeatedly said I have your back to killers in uniform?" the UN expert said.
Asked whether the review will cover Duterte, whom critics say has encouraged killings by the police, Guevarra told reporters then that their focus is “on what actually happened during these encounters.”
“Other relevant issues, however may arise in the course of the investigation,” he added.
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