A bill that aims to classify extrajudicial killings (EJKs) as heinous crimes and prescribing severe penalties for those who commit them has been filed in the House of Representatives.
The measure is being pushed to promote greater accountability among law enforcers, and to punish those found guilty of such atrocities, its proponents said.
House Bill (HB) 10986 or the Anti-Extrajudicial Killing Act, is authored by Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Deputy Speaker David Suarez, and Quad Committee (Quad Comm) co-chairmen Reps. Robert Ace Barbers, Bienvenido Abante, Dan Fernandez, and Stephen Joseph Paduano.
“Extrajudicial killing or the killing of individuals without judicial proceedings or legal authority, poses a grave threat to the rule of law, democracy and the protection of human rights. These acts bypass established judicial procedures, undermining public trust in the justice system and violating the basic rights to life and due process guaranteed by the Constitution,” said the bill’s explanatory note.
Its other authors include Reps. Romeo Acop, Johnny Pimentel, Gerville Luistro, Rodge Gutierrez, Paolo Ortega, Jay Khonghun, and Jonathan Keith Flores.
The measure came as a result of the Quad Comm’s findings and recommendations during an ongoing probe into EJKs in aid of legislation.
“The lack of accountability for such crimes contributes to a culture of impunity, where perpetrators believe they can act without fear of legal consequences. This bill seeks to explicitly criminalize EJK, ensuring that any individual, regardless of rank or position, who is found guilty of participating in, authorizing, or condoning such acts will face appropriate criminal penalties,” the document stated.
Under the proposed measure, extrajudicial killings will be classified as heinous crimes, which means those convicted may face severe penalties, including life imprisonment or reclusion perpetua without the possibility of parole.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Quad Comm solons file House bill declaring EJK a ‘heinous crime’.”
