Former President Rodrigo Duterte admitted to ordering the killing of resisting criminals, further captivating his supporters during a Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee hearing on the War on Drugs.
In an interview with Bombo Radyo Dagupan, constitutional lawyer and political analyst Atty. Joseph Emmanuel Cera remarked that despite acknowledging a “death squad,” Duterte refrained from naming individuals.
Reports suggest some death squad members were uniformed personnel who allegedly received rewards, yet Duterte claimed they were financially well-off and did not need additional incentives.
The former president took full responsibility for the war on drugs, which Cera explained as a natural stance given his leadership at the time, while rejecting accusations of involvement in civilian deaths.
Cera emphasized Duterte bears no legal liability for his remarks of taking full responsibility, explaining this does not translate to accountability for alleged injustices.
Duterte also highlighted his efforts to address public safety, accusing the Senate of using the hearing to unfairly paint him as the instigator of a covert agenda behind the anti-drug campaign.
He asserted that responsible police officers guilty of crimes under his administration have been prosecuted and face the consequences of their actions.