FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte admitted yesterday to personally killing six or seven people he described as “criminals” during his time as Davao City mayor.

The admission came during his anticipated appearance before the House Quad Comm, which is investigating alleged thousands of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) linked to his administration’s controversial war on drugs.

Under questioning from Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, Duterte was asked if he had ever personally killed anyone.

“Ako? Marami. Mga 6 o 7. Hindi ko na-follow up sa hospital kung natuluyan,” Duterte replied under oath.

He went on to describe how, as mayor, he would patrol the streets on his motorcycle, hoping to encounter criminals.

“Nagdasal po ako na magmo-motor ako na may mag-hold-upper diyan. At kung [mahuli] kita, talagang patayin kita. Wala akong pasensya sa kriminal,” he said.

Brosas pressed Duterte on his accountability for EJKs tied to his anti-drug campaign, challenging him to publicly acknowledge responsibility in front of the families of innocent victims allegedly caught in the crossfire.

Maintaining his long-standing stance, Duterte declared, “I and I alone take full legal responsibility sa lahat na nagawa ng mga polis pursuant to my order. Ako ang managot. At ako ang makulong, huwag ‘yung pulis na sumunod sa order ko.”

Brosas then asked if Duterte could reaffirm this responsibility before the families who had lost loved ones in anti-drug operations. “The families of innocent [EJK] victims are present. ‘Yun po ‘yung pinagsalita niyo kanina. So can the former President look them in the eyes and say once more that he takes full legal responsibility for the deaths of their loved ones?” she asked pointedly.

Unfazed, Duterte responded: “I had to issue or make a policy statement about drugs. At all that happened, ‘yung nangyari pursuant to my order to stop the drug problem in this country, akin ‘yun. Akin na akin ‘yun. Ako ang nagbigay ng order kasi ginawa nila illegal or legal, akin ‘yun. At ito, I take full responsibility for it.”

The exchange intensified as Brosas pressed Duterte on whether his so-called “Davao model” or “Davao style”—the approach he allegedly used as mayor—served as the basis for the national anti-drug campaign.

Seeking a clear response, she asked: “Dahil polisiya niyo rin ‘yan, tama ba, sa Davao? Nung nasa Davao pa kayo. Tama ba na tawagin po itong Davao model or Davao style, Mr. Chair? Yes or no lang.”

Duterte resisted a simple answer, saying: “Do not ask me to answer yes or no. You are not an investigator. Yes, but you are not an investigator. Why are you asking me to answer yes or no?”

Lead committee chair Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers then called for a suspension, urging both sides to maintain decorum.

As the interpellation resumed, Brosas cited Duterte’s remarks to business leaders in Manila, questioning if he had encouraged police officers to kill suspects who violently resisted arrest.

Duterte confirmed, saying: “Yes, if they present a violent resistance. That’s the only thing. You can kill the criminal if you are personally in danger of losing your life too.”

Pressed further about cases involving restrained or handcuffed suspects, Duterte reiterated: “‘Pag lumaban, patayin.”

Duterte then reaffirmed his responsibility for all actions taken under his leadership.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Jester P. Manalastas