MANILA – The House of Representatives quad committee (quadcom) on Tuesday issued a second contempt citation against Col. Hector Grijaldo for his repeated refusal to answer questions regarding his allegations that two lawmakers pressured him to support claims of a cash reward system during the previous administration’s drug war.
During the quadcom’s 14th hearing, Griajldo, former chief of the Mandaluyong City police station, repeatedly invoked his right against self-incrimination when asked to confirm whether the panel’s co-chairpersons, Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. and Santa Rosa Rep. Dan Fernandez, coerced him into corroborating retired police colonel Royina Garma’s testimony on the existence of a reward system for extrajudicial killings.
“I invoke my right against self-incrimination,” Grijaldo told lawmakers during the hearing.
Grijaldo’s allegations, first made during a Senate hearing in October 2024, were denied by Abante and Fernandez.
Two of Garma’s legal counsels earlier submitted a joint statement to the committee, debunking Grijaldo’s claims.
“At no point did any of the congressmen attempt to pressure Mr. Grijaldo into conforming to a predetermined narrative,” the lawyers’ statement read.
Antipolo City 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop moved to cite Grijaldo in contempt for his refusal to answer questions related to his Senate testimony.
The motion was seconded and approved without objections by quadcom lead chair Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers.
The committee also approved the motion to transfer Grijaldo’s detention from the House premises to Station 6 (Batasan Hills) of the Quezon City Police District.
In December, the quadcom ordered his detention for skipping four hearings, citing recovery from shoulder surgery as the reason for his non-attendance.
Special courts
Manila 2nd District Rep. Rolando Valeriano, meanwhile, suggested to the Supreme Court the creation of special courts that would oversee and expedite the trials of former president Rodrigo Duterte and his key allies over alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the so-called war on drugs.
Valeriano made the proposal following the quadcom report that recommended crimes against humanity charges against Duterte, Senators Christopher Lawrence Go and Ronald Dela Rosa, and other high-ranking police officials for their supposed role in the drug war killings, particularly in the conduct of Oplan Tokhang, or the local term for the previous administration’s anti-drug operations.
Valeriano argued that the Judiciary Reorganization Act allows the Supreme Court to create specialized courts to enhance judicial efficiency.
He emphasized that the creation of special courts would complement international efforts to hold those responsible accountable, including the ongoing investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“This is without prejudice to the trial by the ICC. Domestic mechanisms must align with global accountability efforts to ensure justice,” Valeriano said in a news release.
Calls for justice
Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr. also stressed the need for swift action on the quadcom’s report, as he called for justice for EJK victims.
“I wish to echo the voices of countless families whose loved ones fell victim to the tragic consequences of the previous administration’s war on drugs,” Bordado said in his manifestation. “These innocent lives, taken without due process, cry out for justice, a justice that this august chamber has seriously considered by adopting the House quad committee’s report on extrajudicial killings.” (PNA)