Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte addressed a Senate inquiry on Monday, admitting that when he was mayor of Davao City, he used a “death squad” to combat local crime.
Duterte explained the group’s purpose was limited to criminal-on-criminal enforcement, distancing this from the controversial anti-drug campaign he championed during his presidency.
In his first major public appearance since leaving his post in 2022, the former president refuted claims that he directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to carry out the thousands of extrajudicial killings (EJK) tied to his infamous drug war, which has since drawn scrutiny from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for potential human rights abuses.
“I can make the confession now, if you want. Talagang niyayari ko. Pero wag mo naman ano yung mga pulis, kawawa, sir. Meron akong death squad—pito—pero hindi ‘yang mga police. Sila rin yung mga gangster,” Duterte confessed, sidestepping further specifics about the squad’s operational history in Davao.
“Yung isang gangster, utusan ko, patayin mo yan, kay kung hindi mo patayin ‘yan, patayin kita ngayon,” Duterte said, asserting that, as mayor, he made direct threats to the gang members to ensure they would carry out orders.
The death squad, the former president said, is “organized.”
“So, andyan lang,” he said, when pushed to describe its structure. “Structured against crime and criminals. Mukhang patay naman na silang lahat na. For the life of me, I cannot remember their names.”
He stated he offers “no apologies, no excuses” for his “war on drugs,” even as families of victims—including the uncle of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos, whose killing sparked international outrage—sat in the hall.
An estimated 12,000 to 30,000 people lost their lives between July 2016 and March 2019 during Duterte’s anti-drug crackdowns. Most victims were young men from impoverished urban neighborhoods, often killed either in the streets or within their own homes.
Official data reported by the Philippine government counts approximately 6,000 to 7,000 deaths directly linked to police operations. However, human rights groups and independent investigations suggest a much higher toll, estimating between 12,000 and 30,000 deaths, including those resulting from extrajudicial killings reportedly carried out by police and vigilante groups.
The ICC, which launched an investigation into potential crimes against humanity within this campaign, relies on these broader estimates to gauge the campaign’s impact on Filipino communities, particularly marginalized groups
Senators Aquilino Pimentel III and Risa Hontiveros, who are leading the Senate inquiry, pressed Duterte for clarity. But the former leader left their questions partially answered, vowing instead to “explain in full” at a subsequent hearing.
The Senate inquiry seeks to understand the structures behind Duterte’s war on drugs, a campaign that left thousands of suspected drug users and dealers dead.
Duterte’s public remarks were infused with his typical expletives and forthright declarations. He asserted that his campaign was to eradicate drug dealers and criminals from society and stressed he would accept accountability for any fatalities occurring under his leadership.
He sought insight from his former police leaders, particularly Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who had been tasked with executing the nationwide anti-drug campaign.
Duterte asked Dela Rosa directly if he ever ordered him to kill anyone.
In response, Dela Rosa, echoing the former president’s sentiments, replied, “No, Mr. President.”
The former president asserted that his administration’s approach adhered strictly to legal procedures, countering persistent allegations of extrajudicial actions in the anti-drug effort.
The probe also drew comments from former Senator Leila de Lima, a staunch Duterte critic detained on drug-related charges early in Duterte’s presidency. De Lima, who has since been cleared and released after six years in detention, took a prominent seat during the hearing, underscoring her ongoing calls for Duterte’s accountability.
“For years, he has evaded justice,” she said, hinting that potential witnesses could now emerge, emboldened to testify.
The former president’s remarks took a defiant turn as he criticized the resurgence of criminal elements post-presidency.
“If given another chance, I’d clear them all out,” Duterte said, referencing drug traffickers and dealers he claims have returned.
