At a recent Blue Ribbon subcommittee hearing, former President Rodrigo Duterte made his first public appearance in connection with the drug war that has drawn international scrutiny. Duterte, 79 years old, defended his actions, stating that his main goal as president was to protect the country and its citizens. He emphasized that his administration's campaign was focused on eradicating illegal substances, not killing individuals.
Duterte denied authorizing any abuses by law enforcement but admitted to instructing them to defend themselves when threatened by suspects. He declared that he takes full legal responsibility for the actions of the police under his orders. The former president's appearance at the hearing was at the request of Sen. Bato dela Rosa, his former police chief, who commented on Duterte's tired appearance.
During the hearing, some members of the House called for Duterte's imprisonment for his role in the drug war killings. Duterte stood firm on his policies and refused to offer any apologies or excuses. He acknowledged the existence of a death squad, which he described as a unit targeting criminals in Davao. Some officials expressed support for seeking the truth about the drug war's implementation during Duterte's administration through a joint effort between the Senate and the House.
Akbayan party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña urged the Department of Justice to ensure that Duterte and his associates face legal consequences for their actions. Rep. Dan Fernandez and Rep. Joel Chua commended the joint efforts of the Senate and the House in uncovering the truth about the drug war. The House quad committee plans to hold another hearing in November to continue the investigation.
Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel criticized Sen. Bato dela Rosa for overstepping his role as a resource person in the inquiry. The House "Young Guns," including Deputy Majority Leader Jude Acidre and House Assistant Majority Leader Jay Khonghun, emphasized the need for justice to be served promptly in light of Duterte's admissions. They highlighted that accountability is crucial for upholding a just society and called for Duterte to answer for his actions before the law.
