Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor ‘Jonvic’ C. Remulla on Monday said there will be no sacred cows nor special treatment for police officials who will be implicated in the alleged extra judicial killings (EJK) due to illegal drugs.

“There are no sacred cows in this institution and in this investigation. Anyone who is found guilty will be treated like any other and treated as such,” Remulla said.

“There will be no special treatment. They will not be accorded special privileges,” he added during a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

He stressed that anyone who will be established as guilty parties will experience the full extent of the law where no one will be spared.

Remulla made the remarks after retired police colonel Royina Garma implicated police officers in the infamous EJKs during the time of former President Rodrigo Duterte at the House Quad Comm hearing last October 11, 2024.

According to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, a total of 6,252 persons died in anti-illegal drugs operations from July 1, 2016 to May 31, 2022 as part of the war on drugs of the previous administration.

Remulla, however, pointed out that police officers involved, whether retired or in service, must not be blindly judged according to one witness’ testimony solely. He said that due process must still prevail.

“We have to understand that they are innocent until proven guilty. So, we must not judge them already according to testimonies. They have to go through the process,” the DILG Secretary underscored.

The DILG Chief said the Department will defer actions until the investigation of the House of Representatives has wrapped up.

“Let us wait until the final hearings and recommendations of the [House] Quad Comm are done and then subsequent actions will be taken,” he said.

According to him, the Department has already conducted initial work but will not proceed until all testimonies are in and the investigation of the Congress is done.

Original Article At: https://www.dilg.gov.ph/news/Remulla-No-sacred-cows-no-special-treatment-for-cops-involved-in-EJK/NC-2024-1128