Killing of Chinese drug lords considered a “major conspiracy”

26 August 2024 | 0:00

MANILA, Philippines – Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel believes there is a “vast conspiracy” to kill Chinese nationals detained on drug charges during Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency.

Pimentel made the allegations during a hearing before the four-member House committee last Thursday on alleged links to the killing of detained Chinese nationals, extrajudicial killings, the drug war and Philippine offshore gambling operators during the previous administration.

“I believe that this is a big conspiracy, a big conspiracy that goes from the top to the bottom,” Pimentel said while fielding questions to Leopoldo Tan Jr. Tan Jr. is one of two self-confessed hitmen who claimed that Duterte issued killing orders for three convicted Chinese drug lords in 2016 at the maximum-security Davao Prison and Penal Farm (DPPF).

Tan and his colleague Fernando Magdadaro testified at the hearing and accused several police officers, including SPO4 Arturo Narsolis, Lt. Col. Royina Garma and Supt. Gerardo Padilla, then director of the DPPF.

Pimentel moved to incite the persons named by the two witnesses, and the committee approved his request.

He said there was a “disturbing pattern of killings”, citing that of 32 Chinese detained for drug-related offences, only three were held in the DPPF, while the other 29 reportedly died in various detention centres.

“This shows, Mr. Chairman, that there was indeed a pattern, namely the systematic killing of Chinese drug lords in various detention centers,” he noted.

To support his claims, Pimentel requested a comprehensive list from the Bureau of Corrections of Chinese nationals who died while incarcerated for drug offenses in 2016 and 2017.

Pimentel painted a picture of a carefully orchestrated conspiracy that also extended to several internment camps across the country, and suggested that these deaths were approved at the highest levels of government.

“This has been the case throughout the country. It is difficult to kill Chinese citizens in various prisons if there is no direct authorization from the government,” he added.