Former president Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday admitted 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 Committee, which is investigating thousands of alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) linked to his administration’s controversial drug war.
Under questioning from Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, Duterte was asked if he had ever personally killed anyone.
“Me? Many. Between 6 to 7. I wasn’t able to follow up if they succumbed at the hospital,” Duterte said under oath in a mix of English and Filipino.
“I prayed that I would ride a motorcycle with a hold-upper there. And if I catch you, I will really kill you. I have no patience for criminals,” he added.
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 for everything the police did pursuant to my order. I am responsible. And I will be imprisoned, not the police who followed my order.”
