HINDI pipilitin ng House committee on human rights si dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na dumalo sa pagdinig sa extrajudicial killings noong kasagsagan ng kanyang war-on-drugs.

Gayunpaman, nanghihinayang si Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., dahil sasayangin umano ni Duterte ang pagkakataon para sagutin ang mga alegasyon ng pang-aabuso at paglabag sa karapatang pantao sa kanyang war on drugs.

“The invitation to former president Rodrigo Duterte is an opportunity for him to personally address issues that have been brought to light during our ongoing inquiry regarding the war on drugs that was undertaken during his administration,” ani Abante.

Ginawa ng kongresista ang pahayag matapos sabihin ni dating presidential spokesman Harry Roque na hindi dadalo si Duterte sa pagdinig ng Kamara.

“If the former President Duterte chooses to appear, the Committee will be as fair and respectful to him as it has been to every resource person invited to testify during the proceedings. We will also extend every courtesy due to a past Chief Executive and former member of the House,” ayon sa mambabatas.

Bukod kay Duterte ay pinaiimbitahan din ng komite si Senador Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa bilang unang nagpatupad ng Oplan Tokhang na naging dahilan ng pagkamatay ng mahigit 30,000 katao na pinaghihinalaang sangkot sa ilegal na droga kabilang na ang mahigit 6,000 na napatay sa police operations.

Ang aksyon ng Komite na ipatawag sina Duterte at dela Rosa ay kasunod ng testimonya ng pamilyang mga namatay sa war on drugs kahit hindi umano sangkot ang mga ito sa ilegal na droga.

“Let me reiterate that the goal of this inquiry is to hear all sides, listen to all perspectives, and to gather as much information as possible regarding the extrajudicial killings allegedly committed in connection with the war on drugs,” paliwanag pa ni Abante.

“We welcome all input, especially from the officials and personalities who were involved in the previous administration’s campaign against illegal drugs, as we believe this will help the Committee when it prepares its report and recommendations,” dagdag pa nito. (BERNARD TAGUINOD)