by Lia Atienza

Former President Rodrigo Duterte faced the Senate on Monday, October 28, 2024 in Pasay City as he addressed allegations on the infamous War on Drugs that began during his administration in 2016.

During the Senate hearing, Duterte admitted that he instructed police officers to encourage suspects to fight back when confronted, justifying an officer’s intent to kill the suspect and reporting it as a case of resisting arrest.

“Ang sinabi ko ganito, prangkahan tayo, encourage the criminals to fight, encourage them to draw their guns. ‘Yan ang instruction ko, encourage them–lumaban, pagka lumaban, patayin ninyo para matapos na ang problema ko sa siyudad ko,” said the former president.

Davao Death Squad

Deeper into the hearing, former senator Leila De Lima brought up the presence of the Davao Death Squad (DDS) during Duterte’s administration, to which the former president confirmed that former police generals, among whom Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa was, were involved in leading the aforementioned police squads tasked with controlling crimes.

Duterte also confirmed the existence of a separate “death squad” created during his term as the mayor of Davao City. He mentioned that this group consisted of gangsters, namely rich people in Davao who wanted to ensure the safety of their city and the success of their businesses.

“I can make the confession now if you want. Talagang niyayari ko…. Mayroon akong death squad, pero hindi iyong mga pulis. Sila rin iyong mga gangster,” former president Duterte said.

The Issue Moving Forward

Coming to his defense, former chief of police, Vicente Danao, claimed that Duterte was “just joking,” in his statements. 

However, Senator Risa Hontiveros asked Duterte about his seriousness on the matter to which the former president confirmed that he meant what he said. 

“It is very incorrect if I may say as a civilian,” responded Hontiveros.

Duterte retorted, saying: “That’s your view, hindi ka dumaan pagka-mayor, pagka-prosecutor. Alam ko ang trabaho ko. Hindi ka nagdala ng siyudad, you never had the chance to solve the problem of the community.” 

The former president ended his statement saying “Kung pabalikin ako, gagawin ko ulit ‘yan, doblado pa,” garnering cheers from his supporters that were present in the session hall.

On Tuesday, October 29, the Human Rights Committee of the Senate deemed that Duterte’s confessions throughout the hearing make him liable for crimes against humanity, further stating that statements he has made in the Senate hearing, along with data from his former administration, can be used against him in court.