PNP prepares to validate 'faked' certificates of drug war deaths

The Philippine National Police said Wednesday that it will validate the alleged falsification of some death certificates issued for victims of the country's crackdown on illegal drugs  as claimed by a forensic pathologist.

At a press conference, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said the police organization respects the independent findings of forensic expert  Dr. Raquel Fortun.

“On the part of the PNP, we have to also validate and see for ourselves kung ano-ano itong cases na 'to" (what these cases are), she said.

According to Fajardo, the PNP could only issue a statement on the matter after validating the supposed cases involved.

“We would like to assume that they performed their duties within the bounds of laws. So, if there are some irregularities then we will conduct our own investigation,” she said.

Dr. Fortun, who has been examining exhumed remains of drug war victims since last July, presented her findings after investigating the remains of 46 people who were killed in the first year of Duterte's war on drugs.

Out of the 46, one case showed that a death certificate was missing, while others were incomplete.

Seven death certificates showed the victims died of natural causes like sepsis, pneumonia, and hypertension, Fortun said.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra bowed on Tuesday to launch an investigation into the issue.

According to Fajardo, the PNP is willing to cooperate with any investigations involving the police organization. —LBG, GMA News