Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante has called out former President Rodrigo Duterte, saying the Philippines turned into a “killing field” for drug suspects and innocent civilians during Duterte’s six-year term.
“Naging killing field po ang ating bansa. Talo pa natin ang Mexico at Columbia, kung saan not more than 10,000 ang namatay,” Abante declared.
Abante, a Baptist pastor and chairman of the committee on human rights, reminded Duterte that he and the entire Baptist Church voted for him in the 2016 presidential election.
“We believed in you, we believed in your plan, despite not knowing you from Adam,” Abante emphasized.
He added that they initially supported Duterte’s war on drugs but were later dismayed as thousands of Filipinos died in operations.
The congressman reiterated that the former president had promised to solve the illegal drug problem within six months.
“Pero inabot po kayo ng anim na taon. Hanggang ngayon, meron tayong war on drugs. Hindi namin akalain kung bakit kinailangang pumatay ng libu-libong Filipino, more than 30,000 in fact. Sa more than 30,000, 7,000 lang ang drug suspects,” Abante stated.
(But it took you six years. Up to now, we still have a war on drugs. We didn’t expect that it would result in the deaths of thousands of Filipinos, more than 30,000 in fact. Out of those, only 7,000 were drug suspects.)
Abante claimed that assassins were incentivized to kill both drug suspects and innocent civilians through a reward system under Duterte’s administration.
Reportedly, rewards of up to P1 million were offered for the assassination of high-value targets.
He thanked Duterte for attending the congressional hearing.
“Rest assured that Congress recognizes your role as our former president, and we will extend to you the respect that the position deserves,” Abante remarked.
He stressed that Quad Comm members should be respectful but not deferential.
“It is important to stress that respect and deference are two different things. It is vital that we, as representatives of the people, remember that distinction, because our ultimate allegiance is not to any one individual, no matter how high their office. We answer to a power greater than any president – we answer to the Filipino people and to God,” Abante added.
Abante expressed hope that Duterte would assist the Quad Comm in uncovering the truth behind extrajudicial killings during his administration.
He also warned Duterte against using profanity during the hearing.
“I will not hesitate to raise a point of order if you do that, Mr. President. We are not here to give you obeisance or obedience. You should give us equal respect as we give you equal respect today (Wednesday),” Abante asserted.