Duterte takes ‘full responsibility’ but no apologies for bloody drug war

Metro Manila, Philippines – Former President Rodrigo Duterte was forthright and candid in defending his drug war in the Senate amid accusations of abuses and extrajudicial killings.

“Do not question my policies because I offer no apologies, no excuses. I did what I had to do, and whether or not you believe it or not, I did it for my country,” Duterte said in his opening statement at the Blue Ribbon subcommittee hearing.

The 79-year-old ex-president’s attendance was his first appearance at a probe on the drug war, which left thousands dead and is under scrutiny by the International Criminal Court.

“My mandate as president of the republic was to protect the country and the Filipino people,” Duterte said, pointing out his commitment to what he described as a campaign to safeguard the innocent and vulnerable - not of killing.

“The war on drugs is the eradication of illegal substances such as shabu, cocaine, marijuana, party drugs, and the like,” he added.

Duterte said he never authorized police or military abuses, though he admitted instructing law enforcers to defend themselves when threatened by suspects.

“I and I alone take full legal responsibility sa lahat ng nagawa ng mga pulis [for what the police did] pursuant to my order. Ako ang managot at ako ang makulong [I take full responsibility, I will be jailed],” he said.

Duterte was the first to deliver an opening statement at the hearing upon request of Sen. Bato dela Rosa, his former police chief, who noted that the former president appeared “old and sleepy.”

NewsWatch Plus Senior Correspondents Eimor Santos and Tristan Nodalo contributed to this report.