Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte‘s defiant testimony at Monday’s Senate listening to has reignited controversy and concern amongst Filipinos, notably households of victims of his notorious “struggle on medication.”
Duterte, 79, denied authorizing extrajudicial killings throughout his 2016-2022 presidency however admitted to sustaining a “loss of life squad” as Davao mayor. His testimony sparked fears of a resurgence in violence and impunity.
His revelation has added weight to ongoing investigations into his violent anti-drug marketing campaign.
In his first official testimony concerning his struggle on medication, Duterte, overtly mentioned the existence of this squad, saying it was composed of gang members to whom he issued direct orders: “Kill this particular person, as a result of if you don’t, I’ll kill you now.”
Duterte rose to the presidency in 2016, using on a marketing campaign promise to implement the identical aggressive techniques he utilized in Davao Metropolis throughout the nation. His nationwide crackdown on medication led to hundreds of deaths in police operations, actions which have since attracted scrutiny from the Worldwide Legal Courtroom.
Testifying earlier than a Senate inquiry, Duterte admitted instructing police to “encourage” suspects to withstand arrest, creating situations the place deadly pressure might be used. He additionally maintained a defiant stance, asserting that he wouldn’t apologize or excuse his actions, saying, “I did it for my nation.” He pressured his disdain for drug-related crime, asserting, “I hate medication, make no mistake about it.”
Nonetheless, Duterte denied ordering police to kill suspects, emphasizing that the loss of life squad he led was comprised of “gangsters… not policemen.” He claimed his squad was small, with seven members. He additionally lamented the resurgence of felony exercise within the Philippines since his departure from workplace, suggesting he would take comparable motion once more if given the possibility: “If given one other probability, I will wipe all of you.”
Duterte’s look marked his first time answering questions from an official inquiry since leaving workplace in 2022. Amongst these current have been households of victims of the anti-drug marketing campaign and former Senator Leila de Lima, a critic of Duterte who was jailed on now-dismissed expenses throughout his time period.
Official figures from the Philippine authorities report that over 6,252 individuals have been killed by police or unknown assailants throughout Duterte’s tenure. Nonetheless, human rights teams argue the true loss of life toll could attain tens of hundreds. A report by the United Nations Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights beforehand criticized Duterte’s rhetoric, stating it probably emboldened police to kill.
The previous president’s harsh marketing campaign has polarized the Philippines, drawing widespread worldwide condemnation however retaining important home assist in a rustic the place drug use, notably of methamphetamine or “shabu,” stays prevalent.
