Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David has made a significant appeal to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., urging the establishment of a truth commission to investigate the thousands of killings that occurred during the previous administration's controversial war on drugs.
A Call for National Healing
In a formal letter addressed to President Marcos, Cardinal David proposed the creation of a National Truth and Reconciliation Commission that would systematically examine cases classified as deaths under investigation (DUI) from the Duterte administration's anti-drug campaign.
"We humbly appeal to Your Excellency to consider creating a National Truth and Reconciliation Commission, modeled after those established in other countries emerging from periods of systemic violence," the Cardinal stated in his November 2025 correspondence.
David emphasized that the proposed body would not function as an instrument of revenge but rather as a mechanism for establishing factual truth and promoting accountability. "Such a body would not exist to seek vengeance, but to establish truth, promote accountability, extend compassion to victims, and help our country move forward with honesty and moral clarity," he explained.
Mandate and Responsibilities
The Cardinal outlined several key functions for the proposed commission, including:
Providing safe spaces for testimony from victims, family members, and witnesses while ensuring proper legal protections for all participants.
Reviewing unresolved DUI cases and reopening investigations where sufficient evidence warrants further examination.
Recommending appropriate reparations and psychosocial support services for affected families who have suffered loss and trauma.
Proposing institutional reforms within law enforcement and judicial systems to prevent similar human rights abuses from occurring in the future.
Addressing the Legacy of Violence
Cardinal David highlighted the urgent need for such a commission, noting that thousands of cases remain classified as deaths under investigation. This classification ambiguity has created conditions where hired killers can operate with impunity while targeting individuals named on drug watchlists.
"The families of the victims, many of whom have lived in fear for years, have every right to demand that these cases be revisited and that answers be given," David stressed in his letter.
The Cardinal articulated the profound need for closure among affected families, stating: "They deserve closure. Our institutions deserve restoration. Our nation needs healing."
According to Human Rights Watch documentation, the bloody war on drugs under the Duterte administration resulted in over 12,000 Filipino deaths, though other organizations have suggested the actual number might be significantly higher.
The proposal for a truth commission represents one of the most substantial calls for accountability regarding the drug war's human rights impact and could mark a pivotal moment in the Philippines' journey toward national reconciliation and justice for victims' families.
