Espenido confirms abuses in past drug war due to reward, quota system

MANILA – The reward and quota system in the past Duterte administration's anti-illegal drug campaign emboldened some police officers to commit abuses and human rights violations, according to Police Colonel Jovie Espenido on Wednesday.

During the House investigation on the drug war during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, Espenido said that although some drug lords had been neutralized, most of those killed were "victims – ordinary users, peddlers."

"Masabi ko your honors na marami ang nasiyahan. Because sa akin naman, hinanap na 'yung source ng drugs. But then, very sad to say na ang nangyari, yung mga biktima lang ang napatay, 'yung mga pusher, user (I can say, your honors, many are happy. Because for me, the source of drugs was found. But then, very sad to say that what happened was that those who were killed were victims, pushers and users)," Espenido told the panel.

He alleged people close to the former president and his own colleagues in the Philippine National Police (PNP) have abused the "tokhang" (knock and plead) drive largely for personal gain.

In his affidavit, Espenido said intelligence funds and money from Philippine offshore gambling operations (POGOs) were used to fund the reward system.

"After these POGOs were able to register with the government, funding was funneled downward from the level of Bong Go," he said, referring to Duterte's close aide and now Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go.

He alleged that human rights violations were committed during the previous administration's war against illegal drugs where, according to government's data, over 6,200 drug personalities were killed as of March 2022.

"Para sa akin, mga biktima sila, gusto ko sana silang bigyan ng second chance (For me, they are just victims, I really wanted to give them a second chance)," he said.

Espenido said when he was assigned in Leyte province, Ozamiz City and Bacolod City, he told his law enforcers to spare the victims and instead go after big-time pushers, suppliers and drug lords.

"My mission was for the drug suspects to surrender to be rehabilitated. Nobody died during my stints in Albuera (Leyte) and Bacolod," he said.

Under quota and reward system imposed by the PNP leadership, Espenido said "we had to knock on the doors of 50-100 households suspected of drug use or pushing."

He said based on his knowledge "there was a reward of P20,000 per kill."

"The funding came from operators of small-town lottery or jueteng lords who give money to the PNP regional commanders, provincial commanders, down the line," he said.

He said police stations he headed accepted rewards only from local government units, and the money was used "to fund further operations." (PNA)