Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte shocks with confession of overseeing extrajudicial killings in Davao City.
In a surprising turn of events, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has confessed to operating a “death squad” during his time as mayor of Davao City, one of the country’s largest cities.
Duterte, known for his hardline approach to crime, testified before an official investigation into his controversial “war on drugs” that he had directed a group of gangsters to carry out extrajudicial killings of suspected criminals.
“I can make the confession now if you want. I had a death squad of seven, but they were not police, they were gangsters,” Duterte said during the Senate hearing on Monday.
He further revealed that he had instructed the squad to “kill this person because if you do not, I will kill you now.”
Duterte’s admission comes as a stark contrast to his previous denials of involvement in the killings that occurred during his nationwide anti-drug campaign as president.
The campaign, which saw thousands of suspected drug dealers and users killed in questionable police operations, has drawn widespread international criticism and is now being investigated by the International Criminal Court.
Despite the backlash, Duterte remained defiant, claiming that many criminals had resumed their illegal activities after he left office.
“If given another chance, I’ll wipe all of you,” he declared, doubling down on his hardline approach to crime.
The former president’s testimony has reignited the debate surrounding his tactics, with some supporters applauding his firm stance, while critics condemn the extrajudicial nature of his actions.
As the investigation continues, the legacy of Duterte’s controversial reign will continue to be a subject of intense scrutiny and debate in the Philippines and beyond.