‘I offer no apologies’: Duterte testifies at Philippines ‘war on drugs’ inquiry

The former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has said he offers “no apologies, no excuses” for his so-called “war on drugs”, as he appeared for the first time at a hearing investigating the bloody crackdowns in which as many as 30,000 people were killed.

Duterte, 79, who entered walking with a cane and spoke slowly, told a senate inquiry the crackdowns were in the interest of the country. He appeared alongside families of victims, including the uncle of Kian delos Santos, who was killed aged 17 in a case that caused international outrage.

“My mandate as president of the republic was to protect the country and the Filipino people. Do not question my policies, because I offer no apologies, no excuses. I did what I had to do, and whether you believe it or not, I did it for my country,” Duterte said.

It is estimated that between 12,000 and 30,000 people were killed between July 2016 and March 2019 during Duterte’s crackdowns. Most of the victims were young men from poor, urban areas, who were shot dead in the streets or in their homes.

Duterte is facing an investigation by the international criminal court (ICC) for crimes against humanity. The current president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, has previously said he will not cooperate with the court, but relations between the Duterte and Marcos families have soured over recent months, and it is possible the president could change his stance.

Duterte said in an opening statement that he had told police not to abuse their powers, and that they should “repel the aggression only in self-defence”.

Relatives hold portraits of victims during a joint committee hearing of legislators in Quezon City, Philippines, last week. Photograph: Rolex dela Peña/EPA

“I have always viewed people addicted to illegal drugs as victims and patients requiring medical health and not as criminals,” he said.

Duterte has previously denied authorising killings. However, he repeatedly and openly threatened drug dealers with death prior to and during his presidency and urged people to kill drug addicts and dealers. In 2016, he claimed he had personally killed suspects while mayor.

During the hearing, advocates cited a previous public statement by Duterte in which he said: “If you are doing an illegal activity in my city, if you are a criminal or part of a syndicate that preys on the innocent people of the city, for as long as I am the mayor, you are legitimate target of assassination.”

Earlier this month, a separate parliamentary inquiry heard evidence from a former police colonel who testified that Duterte’s office offered police up to $17,000 to kill suspects as part of his drug crackdowns. Rewards were given only for killings, not arrests.

The senate hearing is being held in aid of legislation, where senators invite people to give evidence to aid the creation of new laws or amendments to current laws.