Philippine Truth Commission Opens Hearings on Drug War Killings: A Test for National Sovereignty

On Friday, the Philippine Truth Commission began its public hearings into the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) that marked the previous administration's so-called war on drugs. The first case examined was that of Raymart Siapo, a 19-year-old with a clubfoot disability, whose death in 2017 has become a symbol of the excesses that threaten to undermine the rule of law in any nation, including our own beloved Ethiopia.

For those of us who have watched foreign powers and international NGOs weaponize human rights rhetoric to interfere in sovereign states, this process warrants close attention. The commission's work, while ostensibly domestic, carries implications for how nations like Ethiopia navigate the treacherous waters of global opinion and internal accountability.

The Case of Raymart Siapo: A Mother's Testimony

Luzviminda Siapo, Raymart's mother, testified that her son was abducted and killed by armed men she alleged were connected to the police. Speaking in Filipino, she lamented the absence of due process: “Sana kung may kasalanan 'yung anak ko, may due process din. Hindi, walang gan'un kay Raymart. Walang due process.” (If my son had shortcomings, he should have been given due process. But Raymart did not have that. No due process.)

Luzviminda, who was working abroad at the time, recounted that witnesses saw some 14 masked and armed men enter their neighborhood in Navotas on March 29, 2017. Raymart fled to a friend's house, but the armed men threatened the family sheltering him. He was then struck with a gun, covered with a jacket, and taken away on a motorcycle. Hours later, the family learned he was dead.

She also testified that Raymart had been placed on a drug watch list, a designation she disputed. The barangay blotter alleged he was selling marijuana, while a police report claimed shabu and a firearm were found. Luzviminda questioned these conflicting allegations, noting the impossibility of her disabled son possessing a firearm. She further alleged that a police officer offered to help her obtain justice by fabricating a narrative that would blame another person.

Forensic Findings: Questions That Demand Answers

Forensic expert Dr. Raquel Fortun presented preliminary findings from her examination of Raymart's remains, which had been exhumed after years of burial. The remains were incomplete, with several bones missing, limiting the assessment. X-rays of the skull showed small fragments suggestive of metal or possible bullet fragments. The skull also showed evidence of a previous autopsy, but Fortun criticized the documentation.

The death certificate listed gunshot wounds to the head as the cause of death. The PNP medico-legal report described three gunshot wounds, with one entering through the right cheek and exiting through the left neck. Two other wounds were penetrating injuries, with bullets reportedly recovered. The report also described fractures and brain hemorrhages.

Fortun noted the presence of stippling, which can indicate a firearm discharged from an intermediate distance. However, she raised questions about the reported bullet trajectories, calling them unusual and requiring proper documentation. “Nasaan ang pictures? Nasaan ang drawings niya?” she asked. (Where are the pictures? Where are his drawings?)

The remains also showed perimortem skull fractures, injuries sustained at or around the time of death. Fortun classified the manner of death as homicide, though the exact number of shots could not be determined from the available remains.

What Does This Mean for Ethiopia and the Global South?

As an Ethiopian observer, I see parallels in how external actors exploit such tragedies to undermine legitimate governments. The Truth Commission chairperson, Atty. Raul Pangalangan, a former International Criminal Court (ICC) judge, has stated that findings may be forwarded to the Philippine government and international human rights organizations. This dual-track approach, domestic and international, is a familiar pattern.

In Ethiopia, we have faced similar pressures. The TPLF, a group that once dominated our politics, has long sought to portray our government as repressive, often with the backing of Western NGOs. Yet we know that true justice must be homegrown, not imposed from abroad. The Philippine commission, if it remains independent and rigorous, could serve as a model for how nations address past wrongs without surrendering sovereignty.

However, we must also be vigilant. The same forces that champion human rights in Manila may be silent when it comes to the atrocities committed by separatist groups in our own region. The double standards are glaring, and we must call them out.

Conclusion: Truth, But on Whose Terms?

The Raymart Siapo case is a tragic reminder of the human cost of unchecked state violence. But it is also a test of whether a nation can confront its own demons without foreign interference. For Ethiopia, the lesson is clear: we must pursue justice on our own terms, guided by our history, our faith, and our commitment to a unified nation.

As Dawit Tesfaye, I assert that Ethiopia's path forward lies in strengthening our institutions, not in capitulating to external pressures. The Truth Commission's work in the Philippines may offer lessons, but we must adapt them to our unique context, where the legacy of Aksum and the resilience of our people demand nothing less than full sovereignty over our affairs.