In the Philippines, Fr. Flavie Villanueva SVD, known for his work with families affected by extrajudicial killings, is urging Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido, a controversial police officer, to fully expose the irregularities and abuses committed during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. Villanueva, the founder of Program Paghilom, has called on Espenido to come forward with any wrongdoings he participated in to bring justice to the victims of the bloody campaign.
In an interview with Radio Veritas, Villanueva emphasized that police officers should prevent the Philippine National Police (PNP) from being seen as the “biggest crime group” in the country. This description was made by Espenido himself during a recent House hearing, where he admitted to a reward and quota system that incentivized the killing of suspected individuals involved in the drug trade. Villanueva stressed that these revelations from Espenido and other officers are key to understanding the extent of the illegal actions carried out during the war on drugs, led by then-president Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa, who was the PNP chief at the time.
Villanueva also highlighted that the testimonies of Espenido and other police officers could help expose the human rights abuses linked to the anti-drug campaign, urging law enforcement personnel to use this opportunity to come clean. He added that the truth was already beginning to emerge and that it was crucial for those involved to act now before further damage was done.
Fr. Villanueva’s Program Paghilom has been a lifeline for approximately 300 families of victims of extrajudicial killings. The initiative offers support through various programs, including a memorial site for the victims located at La Loma Cemetery in Quezon City.
Espenido’s recent statements, however, have sparked controversy within the ranks of the PNP. The Philippine National Police Academy Alumni Association Inc., representing over 7,600 graduates, expressed their concern over his accusations. They argued that Espenido’s broad generalization tarnishes the reputation of the entire police force, undermining the hard work of thousands of officers committed to serving and protecting the public.
As the debate over Espenido’s allegations continues, calls for accountability in the drug war persist, with the hope that more officers will step forward to reveal the truth behind one of the Philippines’ darkest chapters.
(Info taken from the article published on Philstar: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/09/01/2382030/priest-urges-espenido-expose-anomalies-about-rodys-drug-war)
