By Junex Doronio
MANILA — In a striking admission before the House Quad Comm on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, former President Rodrigo Duterte revealed that he personally killed six or seven people he described as “criminals” during his time as mayor of Davao City.
During questioning by Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, Duterte, under oath, confirmed his involvement in the killings. “Ako? Marami. Mga 6 o 7. Hindi ko na-follow up sa hospital kung natuluyan,” he said.
Duterte recounted patrolling Davao’s streets on his motorcycle, hoping to encounter criminals. “Nagdasal po ako na magmo-motor ako na may mag-hold-upper diyan. At kung [mahuli] kita, talagang patayin kita. Wala akong pasensya sa kriminal,” he stated.
Brosas pressed him on taking responsibility for extrajudicial killings (EJKs) linked to his administration’s war on drugs, urging him to acknowledge accountability in front of families of alleged innocent victims caught in the campaign’s crossfire.
“I and I alone take full legal responsibility sa lahat na nagawa ng mga pulis pursuant to my order. Ako ang managot. At ako ang makulong, huwag ‘yung pulis na sumunod sa order ko,” Duterte responded.
As Brosas continued to probe, she cited his “Davao model” approach and asked if it had inspired the national anti-drug policy. Duterte resisted a straightforward answer, saying, “Do not ask me to answer yes or no… Why are you asking me to answer yes or no?”
The session grew tense as Brosas referenced earlier statements to business leaders, questioning if Duterte had urged police to use deadly force against suspects who resisted violently. Duterte confirmed this policy but maintained that his orders only allowed lethal force when officers’ lives were at risk.
In conclusion, he reiterated, “Ma’am, if you are the city executive or mayor, lahat ng utos mo na ginawa ng police and all the consequences, sagot ko ‘yan. Pati ang ginawa ng police, sagot ko ‘yan.”
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