Duterte admits to maintaining ‘death squad’ as mayor but denies extrajudicial orders during presidency

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has admitted to maintaining a “death squad” of gangsters tasked with targeting criminals during his time as mayor of Davao City, but he denied authorising police to carry out extrajudicial killings as part of the country’s controversial anti-drug campaign during his presidency.

Duterte made these admissions at a Philippine Senate inquiry on Monday (28 Oct), his first major public appearance since leaving office in June 2022.

The Senate inquiry, led by Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, is probing the unprecedented wave of drug-related killings that occurred under Duterte’s presidency, which has drawn criticism both domestically and internationally.

An investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) continues to look into Duterte’s anti-drug campaign as a potential crime against humanity, scrutinising claims that thousands of alleged drug offenders were executed by police without due process.

During the hearing, Duterte, 79, revealed that he had managed a death squad comprised of seven gangsters, not police officers, during his time as mayor of Davao City, where he served for more than two decades before becoming president in 2016.

“I had a death squad of seven,” Duterte confirmed, adding that these gangsters were instructed to deal with local criminals.

“If you will not kill [that person], I will kill you now,” he stated, underlining the threats he directed toward the squad members if they failed to carry out his orders.

When pressed for more specific details about the squad’s activities by Senators Pimentel and Risa Hontiveros, Duterte deferred, promising to elaborate in the next session.

The inquiry has brought renewed attention to Duterte’s legacy, especially his hardline approach to crime.

Though Duterte claimed he was responsible for decisions made during his presidency, he denied instructing police to engage in extrajudicial killings.

Addressing former national police chiefs, including Senator Ronald dela Rosa, Duterte directly asked, “Did I ever tell you to kill any criminal?”

The former police officials denied that they had received any such orders, with dela Rosa responding, “No, Mr President.”

Notably, Duterte voiced frustration over the lack of formal charges filed against him in the Philippines, questioning the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) silence.

“I’ve been killing people for a long time, and they haven’t filed any case up to now?” Duterte remarked, hinting at his contentious legacy while appearing unapologetic for his stance on violent crime control.

The former leader’s remarks have been met with mixed responses. Former Senator Leila de Lima, a vocal critic of Duterte’s administration and an advocate for human rights, attended the hearing and criticised Duterte’s actions.

De Lima, who was detained on drug-related charges shortly after Duterte’s presidential term began—a move she described as politically motivated—highlighted the difficulties witnesses faced in speaking out against Duterte’s administration while he was in office.

“This man…for so long has evaded justice and accountability,” de Lima said, expressing hope that witnesses would now come forward with evidence against Duterte and his associates.

Arturo Lascanas, a retired police officer who served under Duterte in Davao, has previously alleged that as many as 10,000 people were killed on Duterte’s orders while he was mayor.

In an interview with the Associated Press in 2022, Lascanas claimed he provided testimony and evidence to the ICC and alleged that some of the victims’ remains were disposed of at a quarry site in Davao City.

He suggested that remains buried elsewhere might still be recoverable and could serve as evidence in the ICC’s investigation.

Duterte’s track record has polarised public opinion both within and outside the Philippines.

Known for his outspoken, expletive-filled speeches, Duterte has often directed his ire toward the Western world and human rights organisations, maintaining strong ties with countries like China and Russia throughout his tenure.

Advocacy groups have repeatedly condemned his government’s violent crackdown on suspected drug criminals, labelling him a “human rights calamity.”

His administration faced continuous allegations of politically motivated repression against critical media, the Catholic Church, and opposition voices.

Reflecting a continued defiance, Duterte reiterated his hardline stance on crime during the hearing, asserting that, if given another opportunity, he would once again pursue drug dealers with deadly force, remarking, “If I’m given another chance, I’ll wipe all of you.”

Duterte’s six-year presidency concluded in June 2022, marking the end of a controversial era in Philippine politics, yet the legacy of his administration’s policies remains a subject of domestic and international scrutiny.

As the Senate inquiry continues and the ICC investigation remains active, Duterte’s political legacy, especially his approach to law enforcement, faces ongoing evaluation in the public and legal arenas.