Duterte to testify before Senate Blue Ribbon on drug war

Former President Rodrigo Duterte has committed to attending the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee's investigation into the previous administration's war on illegal drugs scheduled for October 28.

Senator Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa, who served as the Philippine National Police chief under Duterte, is also open to being interrogated and questioned by his colleagues during the hearing.

Dela Rosa confirmed that he will offer himself as a resource person for the Senate probe into the drug war and assured fellow senators that he would not feel offended by their questions.

The House quad committee has been investigating the war on drugs, which yielded revelations about the number of lives claimed. Official government data estimates at least 6,000 deaths, while human rights watchdogs and the International Criminal Court estimate the death toll to be between 12,000 and 30,000 from 2016 to 2019.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino 'Koko' Pimentel III will send out invitations for Duterte, retired Police Colonel Royina Garma, and other key figures involved in the drug war, including families of victims, as part of the ongoing probe.