Solons on Duterte’s drug war revelations: He must be held accountable

Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte at the Senate probe into his administration’s bloody war on drugs on Monday, October 28, 2024  (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)

MANILA, Philippines — Former president Rodrigo Duterte should face the full brunt of the law after he said he is taking full responsibility for the drug war and confirmed the existence of a death squad, several members of the House of Representatives said on Monday.

In a statement, lawmakers from the House’s “young guns” said Duterte’s admission should prompt government agencies to file cases against the former president.

During the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing, Duterte said that he takes “full legal, moral responsibility” for the drug war.

Later on, he also admitted that police chiefs during his term used to be heads of death squads, adding that he created a death squad in Davao made up of gangsters that would go after criminals.

“The former president has publicly accepted responsibility for these deaths.  If we truly stand by our principles of justice and the rule of law, then Mr. Duterte must be held accountable. He must go to jail for these EJKs. This is not about politics; it’s about justice,” Deputy Majority Leader and Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said.

“Duterte’s words have given the justice system a clear mandate to act.  As public servants, our duty is to uphold justice — not to shield individuals. Duterte must face the legal consequences for his actions,” he added.

House Assistant Majority Leader Jay Khonghun agreed with Acidre, saying that it is a chance for the government to uphold the rule of law.

“Duterte’s admission offers an opportunity to reaffirm our nation’s commitment to the rule of law,” Khonghun said. 

“This is a critical time for our institutions to show their strength by pursuing the legal accountability that so many families have waited for,” he added.

“I have tried to do the best I can to address the problem of illegal drugs firmly and without compromise. That’s all I want to leave here before I leave — before I leave this world. For all of its successes and mistakes — it was not a perfect one. There were many mistakes. Maybe there were a lot of crimes,” Duterte said in English and Filipino.

“You know, I just want to leave this to Filipinos. I would never have any chance maybe in the future. But for all the successes and mistakes or whatever, I and I alone take full legal, moral responsibility. That’s what I’m leaving to you all,” he added.

Then just minutes after saying that several of his Philippine National Police (PNP) chiefs during his term were heads of death squads, Duterte confessed about assembling a seven-man hit squad when he was Davao City mayor.

According to Duterte, he did not tap police officers as they may be in quandary if they get suspended for operations they conducted.

“I can make the confession now if you want, I really did it, but do not drag the police officers here because they would suffer.  I have a death squad, death squad, they are seven, but they are not police officers.  They are gangsters too.  One of the gangsters, I would order him: kill that guy or else I would kill you now,” Duterte said.

When asked, however, if he meant that he had a death squad, the former president said that it is not like that — saying that it was a system where aggrieved individuals come to him for help.

“It’s not like a death squad.  But the people of Davao know that I am there, and if they commit a heinous crime where the aggrieved cannot seek justice (I will help out),” Duterte said.

“Our judiciary and investigative bodies now have a duty to act on this admission.  The former president’s own words must be met with a serious response. For too long, victims of EJKs have waited for answers,” House Assistant Majority Leader and Nueva Ecija 1st District Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing

Assistant Majority Leader and La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega highlighted that the International Criminal Court (ICC) is still an option if domestic avenues for seeking justice fail.

“If Philippine authorities do not act, the ICC could be a crucial avenue for justice.  We must ensure accountability for the lives lost and demonstrate that no one is above the law,” he said.