MANILA, Philippines — The House Quad Committee (Quadcom) is moving to trace the money trail used to reward police officers involved in the Duterte administration’s brutal drug war. This is the next phase of its investigation into extrajudicial killings (EJKs).

On Wednesday, Reps. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. and Dan Fernandez, co-chairs of Quadcom, announced that the mega-panel is seeking the help of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to track the cash flow related to these operations.

The decision follows the testimony of Royina Garma, former general manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, who claimed that monetary rewards for carrying out EJKs were funneled through the banking system. Garma, a retired police colonel with close ties to the late President Rodrigo Duterte, revealed the incentive structure behind the killings and detailed the roles played by Duterte and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go in overseeing the anti-illegal drug operations.

“The Quad Committee will leave no stone unturned,” said Rep. Abante. “Those who profited from the killings must be held accountable, and the AMLC is essential to tracking down these illicit transactions.”

Rep. Fernandez, representative of Sta. Rosa City and co-chair of the committee, stressed the seriousness of using financial institutions for illegal activities and vowed to pursue all leads to ensure justice.

“The use of financial institutions for illegal activities is a serious crime. We will follow every lead to ensure those responsible face justice,” said Rep. Fernandez.

The committee plans to formally request AMLC assistance within the week, aiming to identify the recipients of illicit funds connected to the drug war. The investigation could reveal financial networks that implicate high-ranking officials and further expose the command structure behind the EJKs.

Abante and Fernandez urged police officers who received cash rewards to come forward. “Your testimony could be critical to uncovering the truth. This is the time to speak up,” said Abante, who chairs the House Committee on Human Rights.

Fernandez, chair of the Committee on Public Order and Safety, assured those involved that they would have the opportunity to help clarify the situation and that justice would be served. He also promised that those who participate will be treated fairly.

The investigation is being led by Quadcom, which includes the Committees on Human Rights, Public Order and Safety, Dangerous Drugs, and Public Accounts. The Dangerous Drugs and Public Accounts committees are chaired by Representatives Robert Ace Barbers of the Surigao 2nd District and Joseph Stephen Paduano of the Abang Lingkod Party-list, respectively. The committee heads emphasized that no one is above the law and that everyone responsible, regardless of rank or position, will be held accountable.

“The financial probe is a key step in the committee’s investigation into the thousands of deaths during Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. By determining the source of the funds and identifying the recipients, the Quad Committee seeks to reveal the financial networks behind the extrajudicial killings, potentially exposing key figures who profited from the violence. This deeper look at financial flows could link high-ranking officials to the operations, uncovering the full extent of accountability in the drug war,” they stated.

📷 House of Representatives FB