House refiles bill against EJKs, offshore gaming, espionage

On Wednesday, leaders of the House Quad Committee refiled measures against extrajudicial killings, offshore gaming, espionage, and fraudulent land or identity claims by foreigners.

House Bill No. 1629, authored by several representatives including David 'Jay-Jay' Suarez, aims to impose life imprisonment on public officials involved in extrajudicial killings (EJKs) and establish the Extrajudicial Killings Claims Board under the Commission on Human Rights.

The bill responds to widespread killings tied to former President Rodrigo Duterte's anti-drug campaign, with the Commission on Human Rights reporting 846 investigated deaths between 1916 and 2022, attributing 577 to law enforcement agents.

Under the proposed Anti-Extrajudicial Killing Act, senior military or police officials who instruct subordinates to carry out EJKs will face equal liability, while public officials may be presumed administratively negligent if such cases increase in their jurisdiction.

The bill also mandates agencies like the Department of Health and Social Welfare and Development to provide support for victims' families, affirming the Philippines' commitment to protecting human rights under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.