DOJ creates task force to review EJK cases

MANILA – Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has created a task force (TF) to review cases of extra-judicial killings (EJKs) linked to the war on drugs during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a news release on Wednesday, Remulla said he signed Department Order (DO) 778 on Nov. 4 that formally constituted a Task Force under the Office of the Secretary of Justice Prosecution Staff (OSJPS) chaired by a Senior Assistant State Prosecutor and co-chaired by a Regional Prosecutor with nine members from the National Prosecution Service (NPS).

The Task Force shall be obliged to submit a report to the Secretary of Justice not later than 60 days from the issuance of DO 778.

The TF is mandated to probe, conduct case build-up and file necessary charges, if warranted, against the perpetrators as well as those involved in the EJKs during the previous administration's anti-illegal drugs campaign.

On top of it, the Task Force is directed to closely coordinate and assist the House of Representatives Quad Committee and Senate Blue Ribbon Committee in their respective investigations into the war on drugs.

"Spare no one, hold accountable every personality who had a hand in the senseless killing perpetrated by abusive persons in authority during the past admin's anti-illegal drug campaign," Remulla said.

Meanwhile, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon formally took his oath before Remulla on Wednesday.

Fadullon said the DOJ will ensure that no stone will be left unturned in the investigation of cases which has gone cold based on the previous directives issued by the DOJ. (PNA)