Rodrigo Duterte, the former President of the Philippines, has come clean in a Senate inquiry about operating a “death squad” during his tenure as mayor of Davao City. This marks his first public appearance since leaving office in 2022.
During the televised inquiry, which is aimed at exploring the drug-related killings during his presidency, the 79-year-old Duterte firmly refuted claims that he sanctioned extrajudicial killings as part of his nationwide anti-drug campaign, a controversial effort currently scrutinized by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for potential crimes against humanity.
Confessions of a ‘Death Squad’
Duterte disclosed that he had established a group of seven “gangsters” to address criminal activity in Davao, asserting that these individuals were not part of law enforcement. “I can confess now if you want,” he remarked. “I had a death squad of seven, but they were also gangsters,” he stated, revealing that he personally coerced them into carrying out the killings.
Disavowing Responsibility
During the Senate session, Duterte distanced himself from allegations of directing police to conduct extrajudicial killings while he was the president from 2016 to 2022. He even turned to his former police chiefs for confirmation, to which Ronald dela Rosa, who led drug operations under Duterte, replied, “No, Mr. President.”
Global Condemnation
The ICC is continuing its probe into Duterte’s anti-drug measures that resulted in numerous deaths, amid allegations from activists that the crackdown involved widespread extrajudicial killings. One of Duterte’s vocal critics, ex-senator Leila de Lima, was present at the hearing, echoing her disappointment over the lack of legal action against Duterte. “This man has for so long evaded justice and accountability,” she lamented.
Arturo Lascanas, a former police officer under Duterte in Davao, had previously testified about high levels of killings, alleging that Duterte ordered the deaths of up to 10,000 suspects and provided evidence to the ICC regarding buried bodies in Davao.
Despite the scrutiny, Duterte remained defiant during the inquiry, stating, “If I’m given another chance, I’ll wipe all of you,” in reference to drug dealers and criminals. He concluded his presidency in June 2022, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with human rights controversies, a strained relationship with the media, and a notable pivot toward China and Russia.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.