Former President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday, November 12, before the House Quad Committee that is taking full accountability for all that happened in the campaign against drugs during his term, both as Mayor of Davao and President of the country.
During his first appearance before the Joint Committee, the Former President was thrown numerous questions revolving around his policy in his fight against illegal drugs. He confirmed before the Committee that he was the one who gave the orders to officials about his policy.
“Correct. Very correct. Since I was the President, and until now we have seen this problem with drugs. I had to issue or make a policy statement about drugs. All that happened, yung nangyari pursuant to my order, to stop the drug problem in this country, akin ‘yon,” Duterte said.
“Ako ang nagbigay ng order, ginawa nila illegal or legal, akin ‘yon. I take full responsibility for it,” he added.
Moreover, Gabriela Women’s Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas also questioned Duterte on the killings of presumed innocent victims. Since Duterte is willing to be held accountable for his policy, Brosas asked if the former is aware of the existence of the so-called Davao Model or Davao Style.
“Wala na, ang sabi ko I assume full responsibility for whatever happened in the actions taken by the law enforcement agencies, by this country to stop the drugs or the serious problem of the drugs affecting our people,” the former President said.
Him as Davao City Mayor; in Duterte’s Own Words
The questioning continued with asking Duterte about his time as the Mayor of Davao. Brosas highlighted people’s claim that Davao City was safe under Duterte’s regime. However, the former President said that it would be presumptuous of him to come to the same conclusions and that it should be answered by a third person instead.
If there was one thing that Duterte could guarantee, it’s the fact that the crime rates in the province were low. According to the former President himself, there were little to no snatchers, thieves, criminals, and criminal incidents at that time.
“Merong mga insidente (ng criminals), not totally. It would be a dream of a city not to have any criminal incidents or violence. But overall, Davao City was safe,” Duterte assured.
He said that people, especially women or children, could walk all over the city freely without fear of being harmed.
The Drug War Policy
“In Davao I used to do it personally, just to show to the guys, if I can do it, why can’t you?” Duterte said during the Senate’s probe on the war on drugs.
Duterte maintained the statement before the Quad panel when asked if he meant what he said during the Senate probe. According to Brosas, the former President said that during a meeting with business leaders in Manila, when he taught leaders how to gun down criminals.
Duterte said that he is taking full responsibility for it all, including the consequences, as it was part of his order.
During Duterte’s presidency, thousands of lives were lost due to the campaign against illegal drugs. The Congress began its inquiry on the issues at hand after numerous people came forward with their experiences.
On Wednesday, Duterte admitted to the events and allowed officials to kill the suspects, if they are ever in danger.
“You can kill the criminal, if you are personally in danger of losing your life too,” Duterte said to the police force when pinning down drug suspects.
