Former President Rodrigo Duterte admitted during the Quad Committee hearing today that he personally killed around six to seven individuals he deemed criminals while serving as Davao City mayor.
Duterte made the admission while attending the committee hearing investigating alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) under his administration.
Gabriela Party-list Representative Arlene Brosas questioned Duterte if he had ever killed anyone.
The former president replied that he had shot people but did not follow up to confirm if they survived.
He stated that he used to patrol Davao City streets on a motorcycle, hoping to encounter criminals.
Brosas emphasized Duterte’s accountability for EJKs and challenged him to publicly admit responsibility for all the killings.
Duterte reiterated that he alone was responsible for the police actions taken under his orders.
“I and I alone take full legal responsibility for everything done by the police pursuant to my order. I should be held accountable, and I should be jailed, not the officers who followed my instructions,” he declared.
Brosas also asked about the “Davao model” or “Davao-style” approach that Duterte implemented in his national anti-drug campaign.
Instead of responding directly, Duterte snapped back, saying she should not compel him to answer with a simple yes or no.