DOJ to review quad committee's drug war recommendations

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration stated on Thursday that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will carefully assess a quad committee's recommendation to file criminal complaints, including crimes against humanity charges, against former President Rodrigo Duterte and his allies for alleged human rights violations during the war on drugs.

Lawyers representing victims' families challenged the DOJ to give due course to the House quad committee's recommendations and methodically work on the evidence gathered during hearings.

The National Union of Peoples' Lawyers and Rise Up for Life and for Rights affirmed their belief that the quad committee's findings affirm who bears responsibility for the killings in Duterte’s war on drugs, citing Republic Act 9851.

DOJ Undersecretary Jesse Andres confirmed that prosecutors will independently evaluate all documentary evidence before deciding whether to proceed with filing cases, ensuring no unsubstantiated harassment suits are filed.

President Marcos Jr. emphasized the need to thoroughly assess and build a case based on the quad committee's findings, while Duterte’s PDP condemned the hearings as politically motivated without legal or evidentiary basis.