MANILA. In a startling Senate testimony, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte revealed that he once directed a “death squad” of gangsters to target criminals while serving as the mayor of Davao City. Duterte’s explosive admissions included orders for law enforcement to “encourage” suspects to resist, thereby justifying deadly police actions. His revelations come amid ongoing investigations into the thousands of deaths under his anti-drug campaign.
The former leader, known for his controversial approach to crime, did not hold back in his testimony on Monday. Under oath, Duterte acknowledged ordering his police force to provoke criminals into resisting arrest, saying, “Let’s be frank. My instruction to the officers was, ‘encourage the criminals to fight, encourage them to draw their guns.’ That was my instruction. Encourage them to fight, and when they fight, kill them so the problem in my city is done.”
Duterte went on to disclose his use of a “death squad” during his tenure as mayor, admitting, “I had a death squad of seven, but they were not policemen; they were also gangsters.” He continued, “I’ll ask a gangster to kill somebody. If you will not kill [that person], I will kill you now.”
These confessions add to the ongoing scrutiny from human rights organizations, with the International Criminal Court (ICC) currently investigating Duterte for alleged “crimes against humanity.” Official records from his presidency indicate that over 6,000 individuals were killed during the anti-drug campaign, with rights groups estimating a much higher toll, citing up to 30,000 deaths. Most of those killed were reportedly impoverished suspects with limited links to drug-related offenses.
Duterte’s statement drew mixed reactions from those present. Supporters applauded him, while families of victims of the anti-drug campaign gathered outside the Senate to call for accountability. Speaking to his critics, Duterte defended his hardline policies, saying, “Do not question my policies because I offer no apologies, no excuses. I did what I had to do, and whether or not you believe it or not, I did it for my country. I hate drugs, make no mistake about it.”
As part of his testimony, Duterte also pointed to figures who could corroborate his directives, including Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who served as Duterte’s police chief both in Davao and later as President. “I gave similar instructions when I became president in 2016,” Duterte admitted, reiterating his anti-drug stance that had shaped his administration.
Duterte’s presidency ended in 2022, but the impacts of his anti-drug campaign continue under current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has softened the stance with an emphasis on prevention and rehabilitation. Meanwhile, Duterte’s son, Paolo, and former presidential adviser Michael Yang, have faced separate allegations related to illegal drug operations and smuggling activities, although both have denied involvement.
The ICC’s probe into Duterte’s leadership has intensified with these recent confessions. It remains to be seen how this development will affect the court’s ongoing investigation, as Duterte’s comments have reignited a longstanding debate on the costs and ethics of his war on drugs.
Carlo Juancho FuntanillaFrontend Developer, WordPress, Shopify
Contributing Editor
AMA ACLC San Pablo
