An independent fact-finding commission wholly composed of retired justices must be formed to thoroughly investigate the reported inordinate extrajudicial killings by the so-called “Davao Death Squad”, determine the identities of the principals and perpetrators as well as those of the victims.

The commission must be created forthwith by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The inquiry must not be left to politicians whose motives could always be suspect despite their avowal of impartiality.

There are a number of precedents where fact-finding commissions were created to investigate events of transcendental importance like the Agrava Commission, Feliciano Commission and Melo Commission.

The Agrava Commission investigated the Benigno Aquino assassination on February 21, 1983, the Feliciano Commission conducted an inquiry on the Oakwood mutiny on July 21, 2003 purportedly raising grievances against the Arroyo administration and the Melo Commission probed human rights violations, including extrajudicial and political killings, circa 2004-2006.

The Agrava Commission headed by Justice Corazon Agrava was created by former President Ferdinand Marcos despite allegations that he masterminded the Aquino assassination.

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo established the Feliciano Commission headed by Justice Florentino Feliciano, and the Melo Commission headed by Justice Jose Melo to investigate media and activist killings during her administration.

EDCEL C. LAGMAN