Cheyenne Suarez

Truth Commission opens first public hearing on drug war killings

Article (news)

Eon Sanchez

ABS-CBN News

<div> </div>MANILA — A civilian-led Truth Commission formally opened its first public truth-telling session on Friday, August 14, marking the start of efforts to document alleged human rights violations linked to the government’s past anti-drug campaign.The hearing, held at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila, featured testimony from Luzviminda Siapo, mother of 18-year-old Raymart Siapo, who was killed in 2017 during the height of the drug war.According to the Commission, the proceedings aim to create a public record of cases, recognize victims, and provide a venue for families to share their experiences.In her testimony, Siapo recounted how her son was allegedly abducted in Navotas City by armed men following accusations of petty theft and illegal drug involvement. Witnesses claimed the teenager was later shot.&quot;Sana kung may kasalanan &#x27;yung anak ko, may due process din. Hindi, walang gan&#x27;un kay Raymart. Walang due process,&quot; she said.Siapo said she learned about her son’s death while working overseas and faced difficulties returning home and pursuing justice. She also alleged being pressured by authorities to sign documents she did not fully understand.&quot;Wala akong gustong gawin kundi umiyak. Ayoko kumain. Dasal. Ayoko talagang pigilan yung pag-iyak. Hindi ko tanggap na patay na yung panganay [ko],&quot; she said.During the session, Siapo criticized the conduct of the anti-drug campaign and expressed disappointment over what she described as unfulfilled promises to protect ordinary Filipinos.Forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun also presented findings on the victim’s remains, which were exhumed in 2022.She said the cause of death was gunshot wounds to the head, classifying the case as homicide. Fortun also noted gaps in the original medico-legal documentation, including the absence of certain forensic tests.&quot;Medyo unusual &#x27;yun kasi puwede rin namang nagkasugat ka dito, nag-separate. If you hit the bone, &#x27;yung bone ma-displace. So, again, I would want to see documentation in the same way that I document my findings because I expect to be questioned,&quot; Fortun said.&quot;As to the manner of death, Fortun said she would classify it as homicide,&quot; Fortun added.The hearing was presided over by members of the Commission, including legal and church representatives, who emphasized the need to address the impact of violence on affected communities.Organizers said the initiative is independent and seeks to complement existing mechanisms by documenting testimonies and promoting accountability, while also providing psychosocial support to families.The Commission said its next public session is scheduled for August 28, when another survivor is expected to testify.&quot;Para sa akin, kailangan natin itong Truth Commission para mapabahagi sa bayan natin ang pinagdadaanan ng karamihan ng kababayan natin na nabiktima sa drug war. Next week po, si Cardinal [David] ay [may] video na ipopost kami online dahil po noong kasagsagan ng drug war, yung mga tinatawag na &#x27;night crawlers&#x27; ay magpapadala po ng regular na update kay Cardinal kasama na mga litrato. Napakahalaga po, lalo ngayon, para malaman ng mga tao ang mga nangyayari. Hindi sapat na mabasa lang yung mga salita, kailangan may mga litrato, kailangan first-hand na mga report,&quot; said Atty. Raul Pangalangan, chairman of the Truth Commission.Thousands were killed during the anti-drug campaign launched in 2016, with authorities maintaining that operations were conducted lawfully.However, rights groups have long raised concerns over alleged abuses and extrajudicial killings—claims that government officials have repeatedly denied.The Truth Commission’s hearings are expected to continue in the coming months as more families come forward.

A civilian-led Truth Commission formally opened its first public truth-telling session on Friday, August 14, marking the start of efforts to document alleged human rights violations linked to the government’s past anti-drug campaign.

A civilian-led Truth Commission formally opened its first public truth-telling session on Friday, August 14, marking the start of efforts to document alleged human rights violations linked to the government’s past anti-drug campaign.