DAVAO CITY – Former President Rodrigo R. Duterte challenged the House of Representatives quad-committee (quad-comm) to summon him to the hearing about the interconnected issues of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), illegal drugs, and extrajudicial killings.
DUTERTE (PDP-Laban FB)
In a phone patch interview in the Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa program aired over the Sonshine Media Network International on Thursday, Oct. 17, Duterte told his former legal adviser Salvador Panelo that he would not step back and would answer the inquiries of the quad-comm if he is invited.
“There are many people who had been called or about to be called, or perhaps others might still be contacted. They should summon me directly instead if this is all about me. Why involve other people? They can reach out to me, and I’ll provide the answers they need,” Duterte said.
Duterte said he has much to tell the nation but has not received an invitation yet. He added that he would gladly attend the hearing since, as a government institution, the committee may need him to provide clarification, respond to questions, or address certain matters he is prepared for.
“I’ll ask them directly what they want to hear from me before the start of any official proceedings. I will give it to them…I will give them the answer they want to hear and not what I want to hear,” the former Chief Executive said.
Among the key officials from the Duterte administration who were called to testify at the quad-comm hearings were retired police officer and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Royina Garma and Police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido.
Espenido disclosed the existence of the payout scheme, rewarding those involved in the elimination of drug suspects, which Duterte denied.
Duterte questioned why the police would accept that agreement when it would later bring their downfall.
“The so-called reward they’re referring to does not exist. I will never give a reward. When police complete the mission, I treat them to a restaurant to celebrate and commend them for their hard work,” Duterte said.
Given the police’s fondness for drinking, the former Chief Executive narrated that offering them two bottles of scotch is enough. He added what he gave out to the police was operational funds and never a cash reward.
Duterte also said that he never ordered the police to kill any drug suspects. He added that his instructions were only to find and arrest them, but if they fought back and if the police saw themselves in danger, then they had to do what they had to do as lawmen.
Garma informed the House of Representatives quad-comm that during the past administration’s war against illegal drugs, cash rewards were given for each killing, with amounts ranging from P20,000 to P1 million.
According to police records, the previous administration’s war on drugs resulted in the deaths of 6,000 individuals involved in illegal drugs. The human rights organizations, however, argued that the number of fatalities, including those from vigilante killings, could be as high as 30,000.
The former Chief Executive confirmed Garma’s statement that he tapped police officers who are members of the Iglesia ni Cristo to join the drug war, saying he has trust in them. He explained that the funds with them would be allocated for the projects he instructed them to undertake.
Duterte said he is not surprised that those who used to work with him are now testifying against him. He added that when it comes to politics, there are only temporary alliances, fragile friendships, friendships founded on shaky grounds, and grounded friendships.
Opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros said she does not anticipate having to confront Duterte if a Senate investigation into extrajudicial killings takes place, but she is prepared to do so regardless.