DOJ open to publishing drug war findings

The results of the investigation into the drug war killings will not be kept a secret from the public, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Friday.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra issued the remark when sought for comment on the call of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet for the government to publish its review.

“The government has no intention of keeping its review and investigation of the anti-illegal drug campaign secret, as this matter is openly reported to the people as the process goes along,” Guevarra said in a message to reporters.

When asked if publishing the results will require President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval, Guevarra said the DOJ’s recommendation for further case build-up has been effectively approved.

“Our recommendations to let the NBI build up and file the appropriate cases against erring law enforcement agents have been effectively approved when the President stated before the UN general assembly that he had directed the DOJ and the PNP to review the conduct of the entire drug war,” he said.

The DOJ has said it will forward 51 of the 52 cases of drug war deaths to the National Bureau of Investigation for case build-up after it completed its review.

Earlier, International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan said his investigation into the bloody drug war in the Philippines would uncover the truth and ensure accountability among those involved in human rights abuses.

In response, Malacañang said it would be difficult for the ICC to “uncover the truth” as it insisted that the Philippine government will not cooperate in the investigation.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque also said the Justice Department is not hiding anything and that the documents will be publicized once formal cases are filed.

“Wala pong tinatago 'yung imbestigasyon ng DOJ dahil kapag natapos po ang imbestigasyon at kinakailangan magsampa ng kaso, isasapubliko po lahat 'yan. Lahat ng isinasampang records sa ating hukuman ay public documents,” Roque said.

(The DOJ is not hiding anything. Once the investigation is finished and cases will be filed, the records will be made public as all that will be filed before courts are considered as public documents.)

Duterte, meanwhile, has said that he will prepare for his defense for the ICC investigation after he steps down from office. — RSJ, GMA News