Former President Rodrigo Duterte has denied claims of a reward system for police officers who killed drug suspects during his administration’s controversial war on drugs. The allegations surfaced after former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office chief Royina Garma testified before the House Quad Committee, revealing details about the alleged cash rewards for extrajudicial killings.
Garma’s affidavit reportedly highlighted the involvement of Duterte and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go in overseeing anti-drug operations. She alleged that a national task force, modeled after the so-called “Davao Model,” offered financial incentives to police for killing drug suspects, as well as funding for planned operations.
Duterte, however, refuted the existence of such a system during an interview on Sonshine Media News International (SMNI). “Walang reward ‘yan. Hindi ako nagbibigay ng reward,” he said, emphasizing that police officers would not engage in actions that could jeopardize their careers.
He also clarified that while he directed police to arrest drug suspects, they were only allowed to use lethal force if their lives were in danger. “Pagka-lumaban at nakita ninyo na ang sarili niyong buhay ay mapalagay sa alanganin, patayin ninyo,” Duterte explained.
The former president expressed his willingness to appear before investigative panels in Congress to address the accusations. “I would be happy to appear in both upper and lower house of Congress,” Duterte stated.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is also conducting an investigation into alleged human rights violations during Duterte’s drug war. Official Philippine data reports over 6,000 deaths in anti-drug operations, though ICC prosecutors estimate the toll could be as high as 30,000.
