Truth Commission: Probe doctors who signed drug war death certificates

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The Truth Commission wants five doctors who signed drug war death certificates investigated after alleged inconsistencies — some bodies with gunshot wounds were deemed to have died from natural illnesses.

In a Friday report from Sandra Aguinaldo on What We Know So Far, the Truth Commission had 13 cases where the death certificates from the drug war contained false information.

The Truth Commission said that these bodies sustained gunshot wounds to the head and body, yet the death certificate listed illnesses such as pneumonia, heart attack, and sepsis as the causes of death.

The bodies of these 13 were exhumed and eventually analyzed by forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun.

The Truth Commission said that it will write to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) to probe the five doctors who signed these death certificates.

The commission also plans to send these allegedly wrong death certificates to the two groups.

Families of drug war victims are also urged by the Truth Commission to come to them if their death certificates also listed a false cause of death.

“Pwede sila lumapit sa Truth Commission. May proseso kaming gagawin para ma-vet, ma-ascertain yung mga information na ganyan. Pwede sila matulungan kung paano, halimbawa, lumapit sa PRC para ma-correct nga yung record,” Commissioner Carlos Conde said.

(They can come to the Truth Commission. We have a process to vet, to ascertain information like that. We can help them, for example, on how to go to the PRC to correct the record.)

In a statement from the PRC, the agency said it took note of the Truth Commission’s call. Citing the “Professional Modernization Act of 2000”, the PRC said that Professional Regulatory Boards are allowed to investigate cases involving alleged violations by professionals.

The Truth Commission may also transmit these certificates and other pertinent documents to the PRC.

“The Commission, through the Professional Regulatory Board of Medicine, shall evaluate the available evidence to determine the appropriate action and assess whether sufficient grounds exist to proceed with the conduct of a motu proprio investigation,” the PRC said.

The Truth Commission may also file an administrative complaint before the Professional Regulatory Board of Medicine, together with the supporting evidence.

“If it is established by substantial evidence that the concerned doctors committed violations of the Professional Regulatory Law, the Code of Ethics of the Medical Profession, or other applicable laws, rules, and regulations, the Professional Regulatory Board of Medicine may impose the penalty of suspension or revocation of their certificates of registration to practice medicine in accordance with law,” the PRC said.

The PRC said that whether it acted on the basis of motu proprio or through a complaint, the investigation will follow applicable laws and rules, with respect to the rights of the concerned professionals.

At least 6,000 people were killed during former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs. Human rights groups estimate that the number could reach as high as 30,000.

Duterte has since been arrested and detained at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, where he awaits trial for crimes against humanity. —LDF, GMA News