House Quad-Committee Hearing About POGOs and EJKs To Start in Pampanga

The House of Representatives’ newly-formed quad-committee is set to begin its investigation in Pampanga. The committee, composed of four different panels, will tackle the possible connections between Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), the illegal drug trade, and alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

The hearing will commence this Friday, August 16, at the Villa de Bacolor Convention Center in Bacolor, Pampanga. This location was chosen due to its proximity to key incidents and activities under scrutiny.

Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, one of the committee’s leaders, explained that Pampanga has been a focal point due to the discovery of illegal drugs in Mexico, Pampanga. Porac was also the location of the illegal POGO hub which was recently shut down. The acquisition of land by foreign nationals in the province has also raised red flags.

Barbers was quoted as saying in a report published by the Inquirer: “To add to the information shared by Chairman Dan Fernandez as to the reason why we’re doing…a public hearing outside of the premises of the House of Representatives, first venue will be in Pampanga because the drugs that were discovered were in Mexico, Pampanga, as well as the presence of illegal POGOs operating in… Porac.

“And likewise, the land acquisition by foreign nationals in the province of Pampanga as well.”

In Mexico town, a shabu shipment worth P3.6 billion was seized last September 2023.

Another area in the province are also being investigated: Mabalacat City, which is where P1.3 billion worth of shabu was discovered.

Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez emphasized that the decision to hold the hearing in Pampanga was also influenced by logistical considerations. Some resource persons, particularly those involved in the drug busts and POGO operations, had cited the distance to Manila as a reason for their non-attendance at previous hearings. By conducting the hearing in Pampanga, the committee hopes to facilitate their participation.

The quad-committee’s investigation is further fueled by recent developments, as several active and retired police officials have expressed their willingness to testify against officials from the Duterte administration. These testimonies are expected to shed light on the alleged human rights violations that occurred during the infamous drug war.

Barbers confirmed that these officials have sent feelers indicating their readiness to speak out, but he refrained from revealing their identities to protect their safety. The committee is prepared to hear these testimonies either in public or in executive sessions, depending on the sensitivity of the information.

As the hearing approaches, the quad-committee has yet to release a comprehensive list of individuals who will be called to testify. However, it has been confirmed that former President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Ronald dela Rosa, both architects of the drug war, will be among those invited. Their potential testimonies could have significant implications, as both face complaints before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged rights violations during Duterte’s presidency.

Read related article: Duterte’s executive order about POGOs scrutinized for “encroaching” on Congress