Rodrigo Duterte: The Don of Death Squads Made His Senate Debut
Well, well, well! If it isn’t the man himself—Rodrigo Duterte, former president of the Philippines and self-proclaimed “superman” of the drug war! Who didn’t see that coming? He made a grand entrance at the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee’s inaugural hearing on illegal drugs last Monday, October 28, and let me tell you, polite applause wasn’t the reception he got. More like a collective “Oh no, not this guy again!”
Now, you may remember that Duterte’s drug war has been about as subtler than a sledgehammer with a side of maternal instincts. Can you believe it? His own allies were shocked! It’s like saying, “Surprise! I brought the clowns to the accountability party!” And talk about a plot twist—his admission of the shocking death toll linked to his drug war brought a new level of drama to the proceedings. A mere 30,000 deaths? What’s next? A cavalcade of reasons why it’s okay to kill someone over a late pizza delivery?
“Encourage Them to Fight Back?”
Duterte came out swinging (figuratively, of course—unless we’re talking about his police). He openly admitted to instructing police to “encourage suspects to fight back” in order to justify their own killings. Isn’t that just a charming little loophole? “Look, Officer, we call it a drug war, but if they don’t comply, shoot away!”
He lectured, “Encourage them to draw their guns,” which really sounds more like a terrible 90s action flick than a legitimate policy. What’s that? A crime problem? Let’s ask them nicely to engage in a gunfight! If they take the bait, well, cha-ching—justification achieved! What’s the motto? “Do crime, get killed—it’s a win-win!”
Duterte’s Death Squad: Not Just Rumors Anymore
Then came the ace up his sleeve—the admission of a “death squad.” Yes, folks, he finally confirmed it! And here we were thinking it was the worst-kept secret since the existence of soggy fries at fast-food joints. He claimed the death squad wasn’t made up of cops but rather, “gangsters.” Because if you’re killing people in the name of ‘street justice,’ it must be a different flavor of murder, right?
The real kicker? When the senators pressed him about the members, his response was classic: “They’re all dead.” So, an entire death squad wiped out? Now that’s what we call quality control!
Policing by Death Squad, Anyone?
Duterte’s delightful narrative didn’t stop there. He dropped the bomb that some police chiefs were commanders of his infamous death squad. Senator Dela Rosa, who once ran the police, was apparently part of this shady entourage. Not the most heartwarming collection of holiday card recipients, if you catch my drift.
Picture this: You’re thanking Santa Claus for your gifts, but it turns out he used to lead a band of “neutralizers.” 🎅🏽 “Have a merry Christmas—unless you’re a criminal!”
What Now? The Aftermath
As a cherry on this absurd cake, reactions from legal eagles were swift. Experts claimed he just handed over perfect ammunition for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue warrants. Who knew casual admission could be so riveting? Careful, Rodrigo—your confession might inadvertently take you down a much darker path than the one intended!
Human rights groups are rubbing their hands together in gleeful anticipation, proclaiming his admissions as “damning evidence.” It’s like watching a game show where you yell, “You’ve just won a lifetime supply of accountability, Rodrigo!”
Final Thoughts
If this Senate hearing taught us anything, it’s that Duterte couldn’t pass up a chance to strut his stuff where the cameras are rolling. Add a sprinkle of admissions and the aroma of freshly brewed controversy, and voilà, you’ve got another episode of “As the Drug War Turns.”
Hope you’re all tuned in for the next thrilling installment of “Duterte and Friends—The Misguided Adventures!” Grab your popcorn; this is going to be one wild ride!
In a startling development, former President Rodrigo Duterte made a surprise appearance at the inaugural hearing of the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee focused on illegal drugs on Monday, October 28. His attendance had been hinted at by a key Senate ally mere days earlier, but his physical presence still caught many off guard.
Duterte’s decision to appear before the Senate was particularly notable considering that the House of Representatives had been the first legislative chamber to probe the controversial extrajudicial killings tied to his administration’s brutal drug war. The Senate hosts allies such as Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, suggesting that Duterte may have felt more comfortable in the upper chamber.
Duterte’s testimony took a shocking turn when he openly acknowledged several accusations regarding his drug war, which has been linked to the deaths of an estimated 30,000 individuals as reported by human rights groups.
Encouraging suspects to ‘fight back’ to justify killings
The former president explicitly stated that he instructed police to encourage suspects to fight back, a directive aimed at justifying lethal force against alleged criminals.
“Ang sinabi ko, ganito, prangkahan tayo. Encourage the criminals to fight. Encourage them to draw their guns. Iyan ang instruction ko…. Encourage them lumaban. Pagka lumaban, patayin ninyo para matapos na ang problema ko sa siyudad ko,” Duterte stated. The directive echoes his longstanding rhetoric surrounding crime policy, which has often included permission for law enforcement to kill suspects.
In earlier speeches, he urged military personnel to eliminate criminals regardless of whether they presented a threat and promised to pardon anyone convict of killings conducted “in the line of duty.” His administration’s undertones of a “shoot-to-kill” policy during his initial press conferences laid the groundwork for an aggressive stance against criminality.
Death squad
As the Senate session progressed, Duterte’s refusal to confirm the existence of a so-called death squad cast a shadow over earlier assertions he later admitted to. “I can make the confession now if you want. Talagang niyayari ko…. Mayroon akong death squad, death squad, pero hindi iyong mga pulis. Sila rin iyong mga gangster,” he said.
Duterte confirmed allegations that a death squad had operated during his term, although he claimed it comprised gangsters rather than police officers. His admission lays a striking contrast to persistent accusations surrounding his administration’s involvement in extrajudicial killings.
When Senator Risa Hontiveros raised concerns regarding the death squad’s operations, Duterte agreed and described its composition as seven individuals committed to combating criminality. However, he claimed that all members of this squad were deceased and further alleged they were affluent individuals from Davao City with vested interests in neighborhood safety.
Allegations surrounding Duterte’s connections to his infamous Davao Death Squad (DDS) have persisted for years, emanating from former members like Edgar Matobato, who testified to direct orders from Duterte. Another whistleblower, Arturo Lascañas, confirmed detailed operations under Duterte’s name connected to ordered killings.
Police as death squad commanders
During the hearing, Duterte further implicated police officials, stating that some, including Senator Dela Rosa, acted as commanders of the death squads due to their roles in controlling crime. These allegations reflect ongoing concerns about the intertwining of state security forces with criminal activities.
The police figures involved include Dela Rosa and former police chiefs Archie Gamboa, Vicente Danao, and Debold Sinas, all of whom were present during the session. Duterte remarked that these individuals hold responsibilities for extrajudicial actions taken against suspects in the line of duty.
In his affidavit, Lascañas identified key officers within Duterte’s death squad, implicating Dela Rosa directly in executing kill orders and perpetuating a culture of violence across different levels of law enforcement.
So, what now?
Duterte’s admissions have significant implications for his legal standing, especially in light of ongoing investigations by the International Criminal Court (ICC). ICC assistant to counsel Kristina Conti noted that Duterte’s remarks could reinforce the basis for potential warrants against those involved in his administration’s drug war.
Human rights attorney and Free Legal Assistance Group chairperson Chel Diokno characterized Duterte’s admissions as devastating evidence that could significantly impact any legal proceedings against him.
House human rights committee chairperson Bienvenido Abante also expressed that Duterte’s statements hold him accountable for crimes against humanity, signaling a pivotal moment as the ICC’s investigation delves deeper into the violent legacy of his presidency. – Rappler.com
