A Church-led commission has been established to document extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration's drug war. The independent body aims to identify victims and support families seeking closure.
The EJK Truth Commission was launched last week by civil society groups. Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David serves as adviser, with former ICC judge Raul Pangalangan as chair. Other members include forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun, human rights journalist Carlos Conde, Dr. Al Fuertes, and Fr. Daniel Franklin Pilario.
The commission will focus on recording victim accounts and determining the exact number of deaths. Estimates vary, with human rights groups citing 30,000, the UN reporting 18,000, and the government stating 6,000 to 7,000. Pangalangan noted that the effort seeks to establish truth alongside victims rather than solely through legal proceedings.
Philippine National Police chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez has pledged cooperation within legal protocols. Former President Rodrigo Duterte remains in detention in The Hague awaiting an ICC trial on crimes against humanity charges.
