Activists backed by the Philippine Catholic Church on Wednesday launched an independent fact-finding body looking into drug-related extrajudicial killings (EJK) during the six-year reign of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The launch of the EJK Truth Commission came just hours ahead of a separate announcement regarding Duterte from the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Hague-based body said the trial of the 81-year-old former leader is set to start in late November.
Duterte, who is still popular among many Filipinos, maintains his innocence (FILE: October 28, 2024)Image: Aaron Favila/AP Photo/picture alliance
Duterte, who was in office from 2016 to 2022, waged a massive anti-drug campaign due to what he described as the threat of the Philippines becoming a narco state. The drug war left as many as 30,000 people dead, according to human rights groups, with Duterte later charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
What are the aims of the EJK commission?
