By The Straits Times | Created at 2024-10-29 22:23:00 | Updated at 2024-10-30 07:28:27
2 days ago
Updated
Oct 28, 2024, 05:26 PM
Published
Oct 28, 2024, 11:57 AM
MANILA – Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte on Oct 28 defended his drug war, which killed thousands, during a congressional inquiry that is taking place amid a deepening feud between his clan and incumbent leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Mr Duterte at the Senate probe on Oct 28 said: “Do not question my policies because I offer no apologies, no excuses. I did what I had to do and whether you believe it or not, I did it for my country.”
It was the first time the former leader showed up at an inquiry by lawmakers into his anti-drug campaign since his term ended in 2022.
Mr Duterte said the police had the right to protect themselves when their lives were at risk, repeating a justification for his deadly drug war that he has made during his term.
“I and I alone take full legal responsibility,” he said.
The Senate investigation also marked the first time the former leader came face to face with the drug war victims’ families, who maintained the innocence of their kin killed in police operations.
Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, a Duterte ally and former police chief who implemented the drug war, earlier called for the Chamber’s own inquiry to counter an ongoing probe at the House of Representatives.
“I am here to tell the truth and as I do so, witness the web of lies come undone one thread at a time,” Mr Dela Rosa said.
Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros said Mr Duterte’s participation in the Senate probe is necessary, him being the “chief architect” of the drug war.
“Any investigation will be incomplete if he will not be questioned,” she said.
Mr Duterte, 79, who is running for mayor in southern Davao city at the 2025 midterm election, last week skipped a House hearing where Mr Marcos’ allies are conducting extensive probes into alleged extrajudicial killings under the Duterte administration’s anti-narcotics crackdown.
The drug war is also being investigated by the International Criminal Court for possible crimes against humanity.
The Duterte family’s ties with Mr Marcos have frayed over policy differences, with the former president’s daughter, Vice-President Sara Duterte, saying earlier in October that Mr Marcos “does not know to be a president” in her sharpest attack yet on her 2022 campaign partner.
Mr Dela Rosa on Oct 25 described the House probe as a “fishing expedition” meant to crush Mr Duterte’s allies ahead of the 2025 and the 2028 presidential elections.
In one of the House committee hearings in October, a retired police officer confirmed the implementation of an alleged cash reward system for police who carried out extrajudicial killings under Mr Duterte’s drug war.
The former leader denied the allegations. BLOOMBERG
