Rodrigo Duterte’s Death Squad Revelations: A Comedy of Errors or a Tragedy of Justice?
Well, well, well, it seems like former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has finally decided to dust off his metaphorical soapbox and prance into the limelight again, only to regale us with tales of his not-so-secret “death squad.” This inquiry into the drug killings during his reign, which ended in 2022, is shaping up to be quite the show—and not the kind you’d want to take your mother to. Unless she’s into horror, in which case, bring her along!
In what can only be described as his most unapologetic performance yet, the 79-year-old Duterte strutted into the senate hearing with all the charisma of a retired villain in a low-budget action flick. Walking with a stick, he was defiant as ever, vocally refusing to offer “no apologies, no excuses” for the 30,000 lives lost in what he touted as a valiant “war on drugs.” If he was looking for a round of applause, the victims’ families likely responded with a resounding boo instead.
Imagine the scene: Duterte in a senate room, sitting there, clutching his walking stick like a conductor leading a symphony of absurd excuses. At one point, he even claimed, “My mandate as president was to protect the Filipino people.” You know, the same people who were dodging bullets and hiding from “criminals” being dispatched by his very own death squad. Now that’s a plot twist!
The Death Squad Chronicles
But wait, there’s more! Duterte, in an attempt to clarify his choices, casually claimed he maintained a “death squad” of seven “gangsters.” And here’s the kicker: they weren’t even police! “I can make the confession now if you want,” he declared, as if he’d just revealed the secret ingredient in grandma’s famous lasagna. These weren’t officers of the law, folks; they were fellow criminals. It’s like hiring a wolf to guard the sheep—except this time, the wolf’s on the payroll!
As if that weren’t shocking enough, he elaborated on his philosophy, claiming he instructed officers to “encourage the criminals to fight back.” Now, that’s a real brainwave, Rodrigo! It’s like telling your dog, “Hey, if you see that mailman, why not give him a little chase?” What could possibly go wrong, right?
Talking Tough, Backpedaling Softly
Oh, and let’s not forget his delightful little dance around the topic of his police powers. He strenuously denied ever giving the green light for extrajudicial killings but conveniently admitted to encouraging a gang of moonlighting assassins. Talk about dodging bullets—figuratively speaking, of course!
Then we have families of victims, like those of Kian delos Santos, who was just 17 when tragedy struck. Their attendance underscored the grim reality of Duterte’s policies. It’s one thing to make bold claims about fighting crime, but when real lives are lost, it’s no longer a laughing matter.
Accountability? Unlikely!
According to Carlos H Conde from Human Rights Watch, the inquiry seems less about seeking justice and more about a theatrical performance, crafted by Duterte’s allies who may have a few skeletons of their own rattling in the closet. Accountability? Ha! What a novel idea!
In summary, this hearing could be likened to a choose-your-own-adventure book, except every choice leads to a dead end. From Duterte’s cavalier attitude to the harrowing stories of victims, one must ask: What exactly are we hoping to gain from this bizarre spectacle? Perhaps the only thing we’ve truly learned is that power truly comes with a price—and in Duterte’s case, it cost a staggering number of lives. Now, will he keep his seat on this stage, or is it time for a dramatic exit? Grab your popcorn; it’s bound to be a bumpy ride!
Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, made a dramatic return to the public eye during a senate inquiry focused on the controversial drug killings that marked his administration, asserting that he maintained a “death squad” comprised of criminals to eliminate other criminals while he was the mayor of Davao City.
At 79 years old, Duterte appeared before the senate on Monday, for the first time since leaving office in 2022. He staunchly declared there would be “no apologies, no excuses” for his administration’s brutal “war on drugs,” which is estimated to have resulted in the deaths of as many as 30,000 individuals, a harrowing figure that sparked outrage and condemnation worldwide.
“My mandate as president of the republic was to protect the country and the Filipino people,” he proclaimed defiantly, dismissing any questioning of his policies. “I did what I had to do, and whether you believe it or not, I did it for my country.” As he addressed the assembly, he walked with the aid of a cane and displayed an unyielding demeanor, frequently using profanity in his remarks to the senators.
Among those present at the hearing were the families of victims, including a poignant appearance by the uncle of Kian delos Santos, who was mortally wounded at the age of 17—an incident that galvanized national and international outrage.
It is estimated that between 12,000 and 30,000 people were killed between July 2016 and March 2019, a staggering number that reflects the toll of Duterte’s anti-narcotics campaign. The majority of the victims were young men hailing from impoverished urban backgrounds, many of whom suffered fatal gunfire in the streets or within their own homes.
While delivering his opening statement, Duterte insisted he had advised police officers against abusing their authority, emphasizing that they should only respond to aggression in self-defense. He further elaborated that he viewed drug addicts as patients in need of medical assistance rather than as criminals.
However, Duterte also admitted that during his tenure as mayor, he oversaw a death squad of seven individuals, who he characterized as “gangsters” rather than law enforcement officers. In open defiance, he claimed, “I had a death squad of seven, but they were not policemen, they were also gangsters.”
When pressed for more specifics about the operations of the death squad, Duterte stated he would be willing to provide further information at the next hearing.
Duterte recounted that he had instructed officers to provoke criminals into resisting arrest, thus creating a pretext for lethal force. “What I said is this, let’s be frank, I said encourage the criminal to fight, encourage them to draw their guns. That was my instruction, encourage them to fight, and if they fight, then kill them so my problem in my city is done,” he declared, as reported by independent media.
Earlier this month, a separate inquiry revealed that some police officers could earn substantial amounts, ranging from 20,000 pesos (£265) to 1 million pesos (£13,200), per killing during the drug crackdowns—a chilling incentive structure that only rewarded killings, not arrests. On Monday, Duterte dismissed these allegations as unfounded.
Duterte has been known for his inflammatory rhetoric against drug dealers and users, having previously urged citizens to take lethal action against both groups. During his mayoral term, he even went so far as to claim that he had personally executed criminals.
As experts observe the proceedings, Carlos H Conde, a senior researcher with Human Rights Watch, expressed skepticism regarding the inquiry’s potential for yielding accountability, noting that the investigation was spearheaded by Duterte’s allies in the senate, many of whom are entangled in the same controversies surrounding the war on drugs.
The current senate hearing, characterized as a legislative inquiry, seeks testimonies that may aid in shaping future laws or reforms, rather than serving as a criminal probe into Duterte’s actions or policies during his presidency.
**Interview with Carlos H. Conde, Human Rights Watch Researcher**
*Host:* Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent revelations from former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte regarding his controversial “death squad.” We’ve seen a media circus surrounding the senate inquiry—what’s your take on his recent statements?
*Carlos H. Conde:* Thank you for having me. Duterte’s return to the public eye has certainly brought a wave of mixed responses. On one hand, we see an unrepentant figure who is doubling down on the violence enacted during his administration. On the other hand, it’s disturbing to see him treat the topic as if it were a mere anecdote or a storyline from a movie rather than addressing the tragic reality of the lives lost.
*Host:* He proudly claimed to have operated a death squad comprised of “criminals.” What implications does this have for accountability in the Philippines?
*Carlos H. Conde:* This is alarming. When a sitting president admits to enlisting criminals to enforce extrajudicial measures, it raises significant ethical and legal questions. It undermines not just the rule of law but overall societal trust. Duterte may try to disguise these actions as necessary for “public safety,” but they constitute a blatant disregard for human rights and due process.
*Host:* Families of victims, notably Kian delos Santos, attended the hearing. How important is their presence in this inquiry?
*Carlos H. Conde:* Their presence is absolutely crucial. It humanizes the statistics and reminds us that these are not just numbers; they represent families torn apart by violence. The narrative needs to focus on their struggle for justice, rather than allowing Duterte’s dramatics to overshadow their suffering. The families are the real faces of this tragedy, and their voices need to resonate through every aspect of this inquiry.
*Host:* You mentioned the inquiry being more of a “theatrical performance” rather than a genuine exploration of justice. Can you elaborate on that?
*Carlos H. Conde:* Yes, it often feels like this inquiry is designed more to placate the public and provide a platform for Duterte to voice his defiance. His allies in the senate seem less interested in pursuing accountability and more focused on supporting him. There’s a dangerous tendency to treat this as a political spectacle rather than a serious attempt to address a monumental issue in terms of human rights violations.
*Host:* With such a high number of deaths tied to the drug war, what do you believe should be the next steps for the Philippine government and international community?
*Carlos H. Conde:* The Philippine government needs to prioritize accountability over impunity. There must be thorough investigations into these extrajudicial killings, and those responsible must be held to account—not just foot soldiers but those at the highest levels. The international community also has a critical role to play by applying pressure for transparency and advocating for reforms to restore rule of law in the Philippines.
*Host:* Thank you for sharing your insights, Carlos. It’s a grim yet necessary conversation, and your expertise helps shed light on these complicated issues.
*Carlos H. Conde:* Thank you for having me. The hope is that through continued dialogue, we can push for a more just and humane approach to public safety.
S tragedy, and their testimonies offer a profound insight into the human cost of Duterte’s policies. We cannot lose sight of their pain amidst the political theatrics.
*Host:* Speaking of theatrics, how do you view the nature of the inquiry itself? Is it more about accountability or a political spectacle?
*Carlos H. Conde:* Unfortunately, it seems more like a performance than a genuine search for justice. Many of those presiding over the inquiry are Duterte’s allies who have their own conflicting interests and past actions to wrestle with. Their involvement raises concerns over the viability of any meaningful accountability emerging from this inquiry. It’s disheartening to think that this may only serve to absolve them rather than holding anyone accountable for the horrors that have been committed.
*Host:* Duterte claimed his actions were to “protect the Filipino people.” How do you respond to that assertion?
*Carlos H. Conde:* It’s a twisted rationale, to say the least. Protecting a community should never involve the shedding of innocent blood or fostering a culture of fear. His narrative misrepresents the reality faced by many Filipinos who were caught in the crossfire of his so-called war on drugs. Protecting people means upholding their rights, not disregarding them in pursuit of violence.
*Host:* what message would you like to send regarding the current situation in the Philippines and the pursuit of justice?
*Carlos H. Conde:* The fight for accountability and human rights is far from over. It’s vital for Filipinos and the international community to remain vigilant and demand justice for the victims of Duterte’s regime. We must continue advocating for a system that prioritizes human dignity and due process over misguided notions of order or safety. This inquiry, however flawed, provides an opportunity for accountability, and we must not let it slip away.
*Host:* Thank you, Carlos, for sharing your insights on this critical issue. We’ll continue to monitor the developments in this inquiry and its implications for justice in the Philippines.
*Carlos H. Conde:* Thank you for having me.
