Former President Rodrigo Duterte will not attend the House investigation on drug war killings scheduled for October 22. His lawyer, Martin Delgra III, said that Duterte is not feeling well and needs rest.
In a letter, Delgra explained that Duterte just got back to Davao from Metro Manila and has many other things to do. He said, “Unfortunately, he cannot attend the hearing on October 22.”
However, Delgra mentioned that Duterte is willing to join future hearings after November 1.
Duterte has been accused by some inmates of ordering the killing of three Chinese citizens who were in prison for drug charges. He has also been linked to the death of former Mayor Rolando Espinosa, who was killed in detention.
Some police officers have claimed they were encouraged to visit many homes of suspected drug users every day and were rewarded for successful drug arrests during Duterte’s time as president.
Duterte has denied that there was any reward system for police involved in the drug war, saying that he only treated them to food and drinks when they did well.
His former spokesperson also said that killing was never part of Duterte’s policies, calling the idea just a figment of someone’s imagination.
