A Catholic priest working with families of drug war victims said exhumations have uncovered injuries that contradict official causes of death, adding weight to allegations that some killings were concealed through falsified death certificates.
Fr. Flavie Villanueva, SVD, founder of Program Paghilom, called for an independent investigation after forensic findings identified at least 13 death certificates whose recorded causes of death allegedly did not match evidence found on the victims’ remains.
Twelve of the cases involved families assisted by Program Paghilom, Villanueva said.
Villanueva said the exhumations supported allegations of a cover-up because injuries found on the remains contradicted causes of death recorded in official documents.
“When gunshot wounds and severe fractures contradict certificates citing natural causes, only an independent and thorough investigation will do,” said Villanueva.
He said he had witnessed the exhumation of relatives from at least seven families after leases on public cemetery apartment graves expired.
The death records cited pneumonia, sepsis or heart attack, but Villanueva said the remains showed shattered skulls, fractured ribs and gunshot wounds.
“These are not clerical errors. They are lives stolen and crimes that cannot remain buried,” said Villanueva.
Forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun, a member of the Truth Commission examining killings linked to the Duterte administration’s drug war, earlier said at least 13 death certificates listed causes that did not correspond with her forensic findings.
Fortun has examined the remains of more than 150 drug war victims. According to the Truth Commission, the 13 cases under review involved 11 people who died in 2016 and two in 2018.
The Truth Commission said six death certificates listed pneumonia as the cause of death and four cited heart attack. The others recorded sepsis, high blood pressure, or stroke with bleeding and high blood pressure.
Villanueva said the discrepancies also raise questions about the role of medical professionals who certified the deaths.
“Those who knowingly issue fraudulent death certificates betray that trust and may shield perpetrators,” said Villanueva.
He called on the Professional Regulation Commission and relevant professional bodies to investigate and impose appropriate sanctions, including license revocation where warranted by due process.
The Truth Commission has asked authorities to investigate doctors who allegedly certified inaccurate causes of death and to correct erroneous records. The cases are being reviewed as part of its inquiry into drug war killings in Caloocan City and Quezon City.
Villanueva said inaccurate death records deepen the suffering of families and can obstruct efforts to seek legal remedies.
“It prolongs suffering, obstructs legal remedies, and denies families the truth,” said Villanueva.
He urged public officials and national and international bodies to allow the Truth Commission to investigate without obstruction, including through access to cemetery registries, medical archives and other relevant records subject to legal safeguards.
“There is no healing without truth, and no lasting peace without accountability,” said Villanueva.
Philippine authorities have acknowledged that more than 6,000 people were killed in anti-drug operations during Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency from 2016 to 2022. Human rights groups have placed the death toll much higher.
Villanueva said Program Paghilom would continue documenting cases and assisting families seeking accountability.
“We will continue to dig. We will continue to document. And we will stand with Dr. Fortun and the families of the victims until the full majesty of truth and accountability sets our nation free,” said Villanueva.
