MANILA – Former President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday confirmed before a House mega panel the existence of a reward system particularly for police officers who killed big-time drug suspects during his administration’s war on drugs.
Under questioning from Kabataan Party-list Representative Raoul Manuel during the 11th hearing of the House Quad Committee (quad comm), Duterte openly admitted that monetary incentives were provided to law enforcement personnel who participated in drug war missions.
“Reward? Correct. Very correct. Talagang totoo. At minsan bigyan ko pa dagdag (It is definitely true. Also, sometimes, I would even add more),” Duterte said.
Former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Royina Garma, a retired police colonel close to Duterte, earlier told the quad comm about a reward system patterned after the “Davao Model,” which included the so-called Davao Death Squad.
She revealed that Duterte instructed former National Police Commission Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo to implement this model nationwide to incentivize police in targeting drug suspects.
Garma said the cash rewards for drug-related killings ranged from PHP20,000 to PHP1 million, depending on the target.
During the interpellation of quad comm co-chair and Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez, Duterte said additional funding was essential to finance operations and intelligence, noting that the police officers’ basic compensation did not cover such costs.
“That’s correct. You have to spend money for operations, intelligence,” he said when asked about the budget increase requested for the Office of the President to support the reward system.
“Ang pulis hanggang sweldo lang yan. Pati equipment, office material. Sabihin mo ‘yang pulis na may sariling fund for an operation day-to-day to follow up cases sa mga criminals, wala sir. Kailangan pondohan mo talaga ang pulis lalo na if there is a serious crime (Police officers are limited to their salaries, including equipment and office materials. If you expect police to have their own funds for an operation to follow-up criminal cases day-to-day, they don’t, sir. You really need to provide funds for the police especially if there is a serious crime),” Duterte said.
Duterte also admitted to issuing lethal orders during such operations.
“At ang order ko sa kanila, sir, nandito na lang rin tayo, ‘pag nahuli ninyo, patayin ninyo lahat. ‘Wag ninyong dalhin sa… pupunta ng presuhan, papakainin ko pa ‘yang mga yan (And my order to them, sir, since we’re already talking about this, if you catch them, kill them all. Don’t take them to… prison, I will not feed those people.),” he said.
Fernandez further pressed Duterte on reports that excess campaign donations were funneled into the reward system.
Duterte confirmed that surplus campaign funds were used to bolster anti-drug operations, arguing it was to “protect public interest.”
Duterte also admitted to personally killing six or seven people he described as “criminals” during his tenure as mayor of Davao City.
The former president made the admission under oath during the questioning of Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, who asked Duterte if he had ever personally killed anyone.
“Ako? Marami. Mga 6 o 7. Hindi ko na-follow up sa hospital kung natuluyan (Me? Many. About 6 or 7. I didn’t follow up at the hospital if they died),” Duterte said.
Full responsibility
When asked if he could acknowledge accountability before the families of alleged victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs), Duterte maintained his previous position to take full responsibility.
“I assume full responsibility for whatever happened in the actions taken by the law enforcement agencies of this country to stop the drugs or the serious problem of the drugs affecting our people,” Duterte said.
ICC probe challenge
Duterte also challenged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to begin its investigation into his deadly war on drugs.
“I’m asking the ICC to hurry up and if possible, they can come here and start the investigation tomorrow,” Duterte said.
“This issue has been left hanging for so many years… baka mamatay na ako hindi na nila ako maimbestigahan (I might die and they won’t be able to investigate me anymore),” he added.
He reiterated his willingness to face the consequences if found guilty.
“If I am found guilty, I will go to prison and rot there for all time,” he said.
Duterte’s war on drugs led to the deaths of thousands and the alleged extrajudicial killings of suspected drug offenders, attracting condemnation from international human rights groups and the International Criminal Court (ICC). (PNA)