Revelations in the QuadComm Hearings Put Duterte, Go, and Dela Rosa in Hot Waters

An insider claims that Senators Christopher “Bong” Go and Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa were heavily involved in the implementation of the previous administration’s drug war, which had reportedly 6,000 casualties, but human rights groups say that it can be as high as 30,000 casualties. In a series of multi-committee-led hearings at the House of Representatives – dubbed as the ‘Quadcomm’ – Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido, made several allegations about the two Senators and their specific involvement in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drugs campaign.  

Drug War ‘Reward and Quota System’

Described by many as an “anti-drugs crusader,” Lt. Col. Espenido has confirmed the existence of a “quota and reward system” for police officers during the former President’s anti-drugs campaign. Espenido said, “I confirm that there was a quota and reward system in the implementation of the war on drugs during the previous administration. I truly wanted to implement it without causing deaths. When the leadership imposed a quota of 50-100 per day, we only took it to mean that we had to knock on the doors of 50-100 households suspected of drug use or pushing.” 

The reward, according to him, would amount to PHP 20,000 per kill. The payment of these rewards for the drug war killings was facilitated by “bagmen” who deliver the money to high-ranking police officers.” Espenido remarked, “I personally know some of the bagmen. Many PNCO (police non-commissioned officers) who were my classmates were murdered. They were bagmen acting at the beck and call of regional and provincial directors.” 

In this kind of system, Espenido implicated Senator Go as the distributor of the funding. According to him, Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) funds were used in the drug war. He noted that “After these POGOs were able to register with the government, funding was funneled downward from the level of Bong Go.” Funding further came from various channels, among which are operators of Small-Town Lottery (STL) and jueteng lords. Espenido also alleged that intelligence funds were also used for such purpose. 

According to Espenido, these grave allegations were information received from Clarin City Mayor David Navarro of Misamis Occidental and that the reward system was a common knowledge among members of the police force. Mayor Navarro was shot to death in Cebu City last October 2019 while on his way to attend inquest procedures amid complaints of physical injuries and acts of lasciviousness. 

Dela Rosa’s Order to “Eliminate” Illegal Drugs in Leyte

Part of his revelations also include the fact that Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has personally ordered him to “eliminate” illegal drugs in Leyte. In the police field, Espenido noted that this is commonly understood as “doing it by all means, including killing.” He told the quadcomm that Senator Dela Rosa’s instruction was to “Help me and the President about this war. I will assign you as the chief of police in Albuera so the drugs there should disappear.” 

When asked if there were specific instructions on how to accomplish this, Espenido explained that “Among us, sir, we use general words that we know the meaning of… If they say ‘mawala,’ kasama na ’yung mamatay (‘eliminate,’ that includes killing). That is very obvious for us.” 

Espenido: PNP is the Biggest Crime Group in the Country; Tagged Dela Rosa a “Crime Lord”

From experience, Espenido also remarked that the Philippine National Police (PNP) is “the biggest crime group in the country,” and alleged that the former PNP chief was the “crime lord.” He explained that the context of these allegations is the fact that Espenido accuses Senator Dela Rosa of shielding suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa of Leyte. He noted, “I believe [then-PNP] chief Dela Rosa was involved in the dismissal of the cases that l built up against Kerwin Espinosa including the burying of the cases that I was building against his police protectors or coddlers who have been receiving money from him.”  

In his affidavit, Espenido also mentioned “there can be no drug lords without policemen protecting them.” 

PDLs Tan and Magdadaro Allege Former President Duterte’s Involvement in the Killing of Three Chinese Drug Lords 

In another Quadcomm hearing, two persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) Leopoldo Tan and Fernando Magdadaro testified and said that President Duterte had a hand in ordering the death of three Chinese drug lords in 2016 who were detained in the Davao Prison and Penal Farm (DFF) for illegal drug charges.  

According to Tan, the former PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Davao City and also his former classmate, SPO4 Arthur Narsolis asked him to kill the three Chinese drug lords in exchange for PHP 1 million pesos each and the promise to be freed from jail if he was prosecuted.  

In Filipino, Tan explained that “SPO4 Arthur Narsolis pleaded with me and he said, “I will give you a job and there is a blessing from the higher-ups. Maybe we can help you to be released [from prison], we will talk to the president.” 

Duterte, Go, and Dela Rosa Urged to Explain Alleged Involvement in Illicit Activities

In a statement, Senator Go has said that Espenido’s claims are only “malicious and defamatory.” Go says that “I can categorically say that I was never involved in POGO and the supposed reward system in the drug war.” He said that he is currently exploring his legal options to safeguard his name and the attempts to link him to POGOs. 

Meanwhile, in light of these grave allegations quadcom co-chair and Manila 6^th district Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. said that there is a need for the three most prominent implicated personalities to surface and take part in the inquiry. He says that “Duterte, Go, and Dela Rosa should take the opportunity to speak because it is essential not only for their own reputations but also for the Filipino people “who deserve the truth about the alleged involvement of top officials in illicit activities”.  

The next quadcomm hearing is scheduled today, September 3.