Duterte: I take full legal responsibility for my war on drugs

MANILA – Former president Rodrigo R. Duterte told senators on Monday that he is ready to face the legal consequences of the war on drugs during his administration.

During the first hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee into the previous administration's war on drugs, Duterte said police officers who might be involved in alleged extrajudicial killings during his time should be spared from any legal implications as they merely performed their duties.

"For all its successes and shortcomings, I and I alone take full legal responsibility. Sa lahat nang mga nagawa ng pulis pursuant to my order, ako ang mananagot at ako 'yung makulong. Huwag 'yung pulis na sumunod sa order ko. Kawawa naman, nagtatrabaho lang (For all that the police have done pursuant to my order, I will be the one responsible and I am the one that should be jailed. Spare the police officers who only followed my order. Take pity on them. They were just doing their jobs)," Duterte said in his opening statement.

The former president also recalled that he had always reminded police operatives "to be mindful of this basic law of nature" of self-preservation, but "not to abuse their authority and power in the guise of protecting themselves."

"Use only adequate force to overwhelm the criminals. But when your very life is placed at risk and it can be snuffed out in a matter of seconds then and only then must you act accordingly. Repel the aggression only in self-defense. Do not make orphans of your children and widows of your wives. I don't want that in my conscience," Duterte said.

As president, Duterte said his primary objective was to safeguard the country and its citizens.

He said the war on drugs is supposed to protect the vulnerable and eradicate harmful substances that ruin individuals, families, and communities.

"I have warned all of you as your president then and as a private citizen now. Drugs will destroy the Filipino. It will destroy my country and I will never allow it. Maski ako, empleyado sa gobyerno (Even I, as a government employee or a) private citizen, I will do what is necessary to protect my country, community, at 'yung mga anak natin (and our children). This is a matter of principle at papakamatayan ko 'yan (and I will die for it)," Duterte said.

He made it clear though that he views drug users as victims needing medical assistance, rather than as criminals.

Duterte and Senators Ronald Dela Rosa and Christopher Lawrence Go are being accused of establishing a reward system that encouraged extrajudicial killings during the drug war.

Dela Rosa was Duterte's first national police chief while Go was special presidential assistant.

Former senator and Justice secretary Leila de Lima and ex-national police chiefs also attended the hearing.

De Lima was jailed in February 2017 for his alleged involvement in illegal drugs, released on bail in November 2023, and eventually acquitted in June 2024 on her third and last charge. (PNA)