Priest laments opportunity lack to tell EJK victim stories in Senate probe

Metro Manila, Philippines — A priest leading a program that helps families of extrajudicial killing victims lamented the lack of opportunity in the Senate drug war probe to fully air the side of aggrieved parties

Flavie Villanueva of Project Paghilom presented some of the stories of the EJK victims, including showing a list of over 300 people killed during the drug war.

"So merong mapaglaya, magaang na pakiramdam dahil nakapagpahayag. Ang sabihin nating misgiving or pwede ko sabihin kulang doon ay unang-unang nilimitahan kami sa oras," said Villanueva in an interview with NewsWatch Plus.

[Translation: So there is a sense of freedom, a light feeling because we were able to express ourselves. The misgiving or what I can say is lacking is that we were primarily limited by time.]

He said only two family members shared their stories on the bloody drug war.

"Kasi ang alam lang natin, nanlaban. Di ba? Nanlaban. Pero the circumstances behind kung paano, kung totoo ba yung nanlaban, kung ano ang katotohanan from the victim's side, we, it's either we give them, we give a very fraction of platform and very pressured limited time," said Villanueva.

[Translation: Because all we know is 'they fought back,' right? They fought back. But the circumstances behind how, if they really fought back, what is the truth from the victim's side, we either give them a very small platform and a very pressured limited time.]

"Listen to them. Give them ample time. Huwag natin iru-rush. Tapos at the end, we will be the ones ranting," he added.

[Translation: Don't rush them. Then, in the end, we will be the ones ranting.]

Drug war killings 'not a laughing matter’

The priest also slammed those who laughed and even clapped when former President Rodrigo Duterte was taking the issues lightly.

"Madami pa rin may mata at kamay na pumapalakpak kapag merong kabastusan at patayan. That is for me, I suppose, not I suppose, that is for me the most painful thing that happened yesterday," said Villanueva.

[Translation: There are still many who look on and clap whenever there is disrespect and killing. For me, I suppose, not I suppose, for me that was the most painful thing that happened yesterday.]

He echoed the sentiments of Senator Risa Hontiveros that 'life is sacred.'

"Yung issue ng droga, hindi naman dapat usapin yun eh. Dahil lahat tayo galit. Lalo higit kapag droga. But obviously, they're diverting the issue and making a laughing stock simply of his candor which is not only offensive but ako, my post a while ago or yesterday was, there was a re-emergence of evil," he added.

[Translation: The issue of drugs, that shouldn’t even be a question. Because we are all angry about it, especially when it comes to drugs. But obviously, they’re diverting the issue and making a laughing stock simply out of his candor, which is not only offensive but, as I posted earlier or yesterday, there was a re-emergence of evil.]

EJK families considering filing cases vs. Ex-Pres Duterte

Villanueva said families of EJK victims are talking to legal counsels on the next step in possibly pursuing cases against the former president.

He said that the political climate will also be a factor in determining the legal action.

"I was brainstorming with lawyers yesterday, last night, and sabi nila let's look at the political landscape at the moment. It is not that favorable. We saw that at the Senate. When we go to the Ombudsman, it is still his appointee. So ano mang kaso ang ihabla doon ay baka ko saan mapunta," he said.

[Translation: I was brainstorming with lawyers yesterday, last night, and they said, ‘Let's look at the political landscape because at the moment it is not favorable.’ We saw that at the Senate. When we go to the Ombudsman, it is still his appointee. So whatever case is filed there, we don't know where it might go.]

Villanueva said filing a complaint with the Justice Department is another option.

"We will not stop, we will not stop until justice is attained, whether locally or through the International Criminal Court," he said.