Alvarez questions Senate probe into killings

MANILA, Philippines — Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, who is likely to become next House speaker, on Friday questioned the move of Sen. Leila de Lima to open a Senate probe into extrajudicial killings.

Alvarez said that any Congressional probe into extrajudicial killings and summary executions will not be in aid of legislation as they are already declared illegal.

The lawmaker stressed that there is no need for a Senate inquiry into extrajudicial killings and summary executions in aid of legislation.

READ: De Lima files Senate resolution to probe extrajudicial killings

Last week, De Lima filed a resolution which orders the Senate committee on justice and human rights to look into the rising number of the killings of alleged drug pushers.

De Lima's resolution seeks for accountability of law enforcers and to institute legislative measures to fully respect basic human rights.

"Extrajudicial or summary killing is homicide. Carried out premeditatedly and in conspiracy with other public authorities, it becomes mass murder, which, if left unabated and unchecked, can escalate into a crime against humanity under international law," De Lima said.

Meanwhile, Alvarez said that he has filed a bill which calls for an investigation on why illegal drugs thrived at the New Bilibid Prison during the term of De Lima as Secretary of Justice. — with reports from Mike Frialde