Rodrigo Duterte dares ICC to ‘hurry up’ with probe, confirms drug war reward system
Former president Rodrigo Duterte faced the House of Representatives quad committee for the first time on Wednesday, Nov. 13 to face the probe on the drug war killings under his administration.
The 11th public hearing, which was supposedly postponed, was pushed through as scheduled today after Duterte said he would attend despite the House’s notice of cancelation. He was invited as early as October but had to decline because he was not feeling well.
The hearing was also attended by former senator Leila De Lima, his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte, and family members of victims of his bloody war on drugs.
The quad comm’s probe delves into the extent of Duterte’s extrajudicial killings that affected both big names in politics, civilians or the “collateral damage” of his shoot-to-kill order, his alleged Davao Death Squad, and more.
In his opening remarks, Manila 6th district congressman Benny Abante said that the Philippines became “killing fields” during Duterte’s presidency, having around 30,000 dead due to his anti-illegal drug campaign.
“We are worse than Mexico because Mexico only had less than 10,000. We are also worse than Columbia. The Philippines became killing fields during your time,” Abante said.
“We believed that drugs should not thrive in our country, but I do not believe that we need to kill more than 30,000 people,” he added.
'I'm asking the ICC to hurry up'
During the hearing, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas asked the former president if he was willing to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) probe on his war on drugs campaign.
“I’m asking the ICC to hurry up. And if possible, they can come here and start the investigation tomorrow. This issue has been left hanging for so many years. Matagal ma’am, baka mamatay na ako ‘di na nila ako ma-imbestiga,” the 79-year-old politician said.
“I’m asking the ICC through you, magpunta na sila dito bukas, umpisahan na nila ang investigation, and if I’m found guilty, I will go to prison and rot there for all time,” he added.
He reiterated that the ICC "does not scare" him a bit, saying that they would welcome them anytime.
“Wala naman tayong taguan eh...I did it for my country, and for the young people dyan sa droga, no excuses, no apology, if I go to hell, so be it,” he said.
He also told Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel to give him money so he could voluntarily submit to the ICC.
“Bigyan mo ako ng pera, ako na ang pupunta ng ICC. Ako na mismo ang magpa-imbestiga doon. Ang tagal nila. Hurry up, kasi matanda na ako na,” he said. “You might miss the pleasure of seeing me standing before the court and hearing judgment.”
Duterte admits killing 6 or 7 criminals before presidency
In the early part of the hearing, Rep. Brosas asked Duterte if he had personally killed someone, to which he replied, “Ako? Marami. Mga 6 or 7. Hindi ko na finollow-up sa ospital kung natuluyan.”
Brosas asked whether his previous statement that he only killed to only show to the policemen that he’s not afraid of doing so, quoting Duterte, “If I can do it (kill), why can’t you?” to which Duterte affirmed, adding that it was also true that he used to goad policemen to gun down criminals if they “present a violent resistance.”
Duterte had likewise affirmed his previous statement that he used to roam around in Davao on his big bike to look for a confrontation so he could kill.
“Yes. Nagdadasal po ako [habang] nag-momotor ako na may holdupper diyan, at kung maabutan kita talagang patayin kita,” he said. “Wala akong pasensiya sa kriminal, pag lumaban, patay ‘yan.”
He stressed that he would take full responsibility for whatever the policemen did under his order.
“Lahat ng trabaho ng pulis, because you are the mayor, inutos mo ‘yan the consequences sometimes, the incident can go right or wrong, protektahan ko ‘yang pulis because I’m the mayor,” he said.
Reward system on EJKs
Duterte, who repeatedly said he is pro-police, confirmed that there was a reward system for the force for their operations.
“Nagbibigay talaga ako, alam ng lahat ‘yan. I support the police, kung malaki ang nahuli nila, binibigyan ko sila ng tip, for the boys,”
The former president also confirmed that a certain "Moking," who he said handled funds for the reward scheme, was part of the Presidential Management Staff.
Asked about previous claims made by retired Police Lieutenant Colonel Jovie Espenido, Duterte clarified: “No, every crime that is solved, whether it is really, it resulted in a killing or nahuli, basta ‘yung droga, mainit ako, magbigay ako. It does not presuppose na magbayad ako ng P20,000 para patayin ang durogista.”
Espenido previously told the Quad Committee that there was a reward and quota system for kills in Duterte's drug war.
Duterte, however, refused to disclose the source of the “peace and order fund.”
Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel asked whether the peace and order funds came from the Office of the President’s confidential and intelligence funds, Duterte said: "Lahat ng opisina, sir, from the president down to governors, mayors, may peace and order fund. Discretionary 'yan."
Before the hearing, Duterte had earlier denied the existence of a drug rewards system.
Duterte to raise P1 million to help EJK cops
Rep. Dan Fernandez of Sta. Rosa City presented data from Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Rommel Marbil that in Duterte’s six-year rule, there have been 1,286 officers who were affected by the drug war, where 312 have been killed and 974 were also injured.
Meanwhile, a total of 195 were “dismissed” while 20 were in “detention.”
For his response, Duterte said he would raise funds for affected cops during the drug war, as well as act as their defense counsel in court.
“I was not asked about it,” he said. “I will now make this promise: I’m putting up P1 million. I’ll start raising money to help these policemen. I will personally appear in court If I have to. I will act as their defense counsel If I have to,” he added.
“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. We are not here to submit to you. You should give us equal respect as we give you equal respect today,” Abante added. (With reports from Delon Porcalla and Jose Rodel Clapano)
