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MANILA, Philippines — An independent, civilian-led body was officially launched on Wednesday, May 27, to probe and document the extrajudicial killings linked to detained former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.
The Philippine Truth and Reconciliation Commission, or simply the “Truth Commission,” aims to establish a definitive public record of the killings and related abuses during the drug war.
“Kaya po tayo nandidito para tayo naman ang manlaban pero sa mapayapang paraan, walang hawak na baril, manlaban para sa katotohanan. Bigyan natin ng boses, ng tinig ang mga nawalan. Pakinggan natin ang kanilang mga kuwento, gunitain natin ang kanilang buhay. Ilawan natin ang katotohanan,” Kalookan Bishop Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, who serves as the commission’s adviser, said in a press conference on Wednesday.
(That is why we are here, so we can fight back this time—but in a peaceful way, without holding guns, fighting for the truth. Let us give a voice to those who were lost. Let us listen to their stories, and let us remember their lives. Let us shed light on the truth.)
According to the commission’s statement, its launch comes nearly a decade after the drug war’s escalation in 2016, a period that left thousands of families grieving and still searching for justice.
While acknowledging that such violence did not begin in 2016, the commission emphasized that the sheer scale and persistence of the targeted killings in recent years demand systemic truth-seeking and healing.
Former International Criminal Court (ICC) judge Raul Pangalangan, who also chairs the body, explained that the initiative is not meant to replace traditional courts or assign criminal guilt.
“The Truth Commission was created to ensure that the stories of victims, survivors, and families are heard, verified, and preserved. This is not about replacing the courts or assigning guilt. It is about building a credible truth record that can guide accountability, healing, reform, and the prevention of future violence,” Pangalangan said.
Pangalangan is joined by a panel of experts leading specific facets of the investigation.
These include forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun, who will oversee forensic science and independent investigation protocols, while Dr. Al Fuertes will manage psychosocial support and trauma-informed healing for survivors.
Meanwhile, priest Fr. Daniel Franklin Pilario was tasked with heading church and education relations, truth literacy, and institutional reform recommendations. Human rights advocate Carlos Conde will also manage public documentation, transparency, and democratic accountability, while simultaneously serving as the Commission's executive director.
When asked where the commission’s funding will come from, David said that they will be supported by the largest charitable organization in Germany, which he met during his time as an auxiliary bishop.
“I found myself in Luxembourg, and I was in the company of the president of the biggest charitable institution in Germany that funded the truth commission of Guatemala and he said ‘we read news that you are interested to put up a truth and reconciliation commission in your country. Please be assured of our support in case you would need it,’” David said.
(I found myself in Luxembourg, and I was in the company of the president of the biggest charitable institution in Germany that funded the truth commission of Guatemala, and he said, 'We read news that you are interested in putting up a truth and reconciliation commission in your country. Please be assured of our support in case you would need it.’)
In a message to Philstar.com, Conde said that the commission’s manpower will rely on support staff that they will hire and volunteers.
“We will take a step at a time, given the enormity of the problem. We will rely on the Church’s network of supporters and volunteers,” Conde said.
The commission was formed amid the upcoming trial of detained former president Rodrigo Duterte at the ICC and the manhunt for Sen. Bato Dela Rosa.
Duterte formulated the policy for the war on drugs while Dela Rosa served as its chief implementor, being a former Philippine National Police chief. Human rights organizations estimate at least 30,000 deaths.
Both are currently facing charges of crimes against humanity of murder at the ICC.
