Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Duterte's war on drugs

Jeff Caparas

ABS-CBN News

CAMP CRAME — Philippine National Police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III has met with officials from the National Police Commission, Commission on Human Rights, and  Mamamayang Liberal partylist Rep. Leila de Lima to discuss the bloody war on drugs during the previous administration.De Lima, in a phone interview, said it was a high-level consultative dialogue also attended by Napolcom Vice Chair and Executive Office Commissioner Ralph Calinisan and Commission on Human Rights Chairman Richard Palpal-Latoc. She said the meeting focused on transitional justice on the drug war.De Lima said the meeting was spearheaded by the CHR and coordinated with the PNP. It centered on how institutions could acknowledge past wrongdoings, pursue truth-telling, and ensure accountability for extrajudicial killings (EJKs) and human rights abuses.De Lima, who is drafting a bill on transitional justice, described the meeting as “an opportune moment to push forward long-overdue reckoning.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/23/doj-to-withdraw-appeal-of-prosecutors-who-wanted-de-lima-s-conviction-on-illegal-drugs-1314">DOJ to withdraw appeal of prosecutors who wanted De Lima’s conviction on illegal drugs</a></div>“Transitional justice is a comprehensive framework that must begin with truth-telling,” she said.“There must be an acknowledgment—especially from the PNP—that what happened in the past was wrong, that laws were violated,” she added.She also said there is a need for institutional acceptance and historical clarity, especially with the flawed implementation of &quot;Oplan Tokhang&quot;.“You cannot deny wrongdoing or pretend that nothing happened… That is the first step—recognition,” she said.She also cited earlier public acknowledgment that the &quot;tokhang&quot; strategy was flawed.“Even he [Torre] pointed out that it was wrong to knock on the doors of suspects without evidence, or worse, negotiate with criminals instead of arresting them,” she said.During the briefing, the PNP Human Rights Affairs Office presented updates on their internal efforts. De Lima noted the presence of key members of the PNP directorial staff, signaling the institution’s openness to reform under Gen. Torre’s leadership.The issue of compensation for victims was also raised. The group discussed the need to reassess the current claims board system, where payouts remain at a meager P10,000. The lawmaker said this is one of the components that her proposed bill on transitional justice will address.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/14/former-cop-who-spent-3-months-in-tokhang-unit-denied-canadian-residency-1717">Former cop who spent 3 months in &#x27;tokhang&#x27; unit denied Canadian residency</a></div> The ongoing investigation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) was also discussed briefly.De Lima clarified that while the ICC is primarily focused on high-ranking officials, such as former President Rodrigo Duterte and former PNP chief-now-Senator Bato dela Rosa, it is up to domestic mechanisms to investigate and prosecute those on the ground who were directly involved.“Those who still have knowledge—whether active or retired police—should come forward. They could help both the ICC and our own investigations,” she added.She also revealed that her initial agenda with Torre also involved the topic of prison reform. “I told him I’m re-filing my prison reform bill, and he was very open to the PNP providing inputs on that as well.”<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pZrIO-JKod4??si=e9pfyP_2JW5eBoKV&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>

Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima said it was a high-level consultative dialogue focusing on transitional justice on the country’s bloody war on drugs.

Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima said it was a high-level consultative dialogue focusing on transitional justice on the country’s bloody war on drugs.

'Begin with truth-telling': Torre, De Lima tackle war on drugs under Duterte presidency

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'Begin with truth-telling': Torre, De Lima tackle war on drugs under Duterte presidency

Jeff Caparas,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 25, 2025 04:40 PM PHT

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Nicolas Torre

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