In a recent Senate inquiry, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte openly admitted to organizing a “death squad” during his tenure as mayor of Davao City to combat criminal elements. Appearing before senators, the 79-year-old former leader clarified that his death squad was composed of “gangsters” rather than police officers, a claim that highlights his unconventional approach to crime prevention and enforcement. “I had a death squad of seven, but they were not policemen; they were gangsters,” Duterte stated, implying he turned to non-official figures to execute criminals in order to avoid placing police officers at risk of legal repercussions.
During his presidency, Duterte implemented a nationwide campaign against illegal drugs, a strategy his critics argue stemmed from the so-called Davao Death Squad model. This anti-drug crusade, marked by thousands of alleged extrajudicial killings, is currently under investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for possible human rights violations. Duterte, however, defended the campaign, claiming it aimed at protecting innocent lives rather than promoting state-sanctioned violence.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel questioned Duterte on the organizational structure of the death squad, which reportedly included seven members who were instructed to eliminate criminals. Duterte recounted his instructions to these enforcers: “If you will not kill [the criminal], I will kill you now,” stressing his commitment to a zero-tolerance policy on crime during his leadership in Davao.
Duterte also suggested that some affluent individuals with vested interests in Davao’s economic stability joined or supported his squad, further adding to the controversial layers surrounding his anti-crime measures. In his testimony, Duterte recounted a tactic he often employed: instructing police to encourage suspects to resist arrest, allegedly to justify violent encounters with criminal suspects—a strategy later dubbed “nanlaban” cases.
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who served as Duterte’s first national police chief, denied the existence of the Davao Death Squad, attributing the narrative to media sensationalism. “As far as I’m concerned, DDS does not exist,” said dela Rosa, who insisted that he would have filed cases against any personnel operating as part of such a group.
In contrast, Duterte reaffirmed his strategy’s effectiveness, claiming responsibility for his decisions and the outcomes of the war on drugs. He underscored that he never regretted his approach, even as he faced mounting criticism from human rights advocates. Duterte challenged his detractors and the Department of Justice to file charges against him, declaring, “Do not question my policies because I offer no apologies, no excuses. The war on illegal drugs is about protecting the innocent and the defenseless.”
The testimony highlighted a longstanding pattern in Duterte’s rhetoric, which includes conflicting statements and claims of strategic ambiguity regarding his role in alleged extrajudicial operations. His admission of using gang members in lieu of police for targeted killings, however, has intensified discussions about the degree of state involvement in extrajudicial operations, both during his mayorship and his presidency.
Duterte’s appearance at the Senate further revealed tensions around the historical accounts of the DDS and its implications for the national anti-drug campaign. His statements have prompted renewed calls for accountability and justice, especially from those seeking redress for the victims of the anti-drug campaign. While Duterte asserts that his actions were guided by a commitment to peace and order, the ICC investigation and ongoing scrutiny from the Senate highlight the complex legacy of his administration’s unyielding stance on crime.
