EP 21: Probing police abuses in Duterte’s drug war

Last week, a police anti-drug operation in Biñan city, Laguna took the life of 16-year-old boy Johndy Maglinte Helis and his companion.

The two allegedly exchanged fire with police, a familiar case of “nanlaban,” similar to thousands of killings under President Duterte’s drug war. 

But initial media reports were quite disturbing if true.

Citing witness accounts, they claimed there was no shootout. instead, the boy was handcuffed, dragged in the mud, then shot dead.

The incident brought back memories of Kian delos Santos, the 17-year-old boy murdered by police in Caloocan in 2017.

Of course, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. 

Both the Philippine National Police and the Commission on Human Rights are now investigating the incident.

But the latest incident could not have come at a worst time. 

The International Criminal Court’s prosecutor is seeking authority to formally investigate the thousands of drug-related killings under Duterte. 

While the Laguna incident won’t be covered, in case the ICC investigation indeed happens, it’s yet another indication that the killings have not slowed down.

In this episode, Christian Esguerra sat down with CHR Spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline De Guia and PNP Spokesperson P/BGen Ronaldo Olay.