The Philippine Department of Justice announced that it will initiate a preliminary investigation into several high-profile murder cases that occurred during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte. Currently, these cases are under review by the House Quadrilateral Committee.
Deputy Minister of Justice Raul T. Vasquez stated, "Once Congress submits the committee report and affidavits, or if someone files a complaint against the responsible parties, we will start the preliminary investigation and case filing procedures." He added that both police and any private complainants can initiate a complaint, provided they meet the requirements to start the process.
Recently, the House Quadrilateral Committee has been holding hearings on the issues of extrajudicial killings involving Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) and illegal drug activities, where multiple murder cases have been mentioned.
These cases include the 2020 murder of Wesley Barayuga, secretary of the board of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and a retired police general; the 2018 murder of Tanauan City, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili; the 2016 murder of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa; and the 2016 killing of three Chinese drug traffickers in Davao Prison and Penal Farm.
