MANILA, Philippines — The brash demeanor and provocative language exhibited by former President Rodrigo Duterte in a recent Senate hearing have resurfaced unsettling memories of the infamous “war on drugs” that led to the deaths of thousands during his administration.
In his first appearance since leaving office in 2022, Duterte participated in a televised inquiry regarding these killings, demonstrating defiance and little sign of regret. Critics argue that he has once again escaped accountability for his actions.
“If I’m given another chance, I’ll wipe all of you,” remarked the 79-year-old Duterte, who is currently campaigning for another term as the mayor of Davao City, as he directed his ire toward drug dealers and criminals.
He maintained his stance that there were no authorized extrajudicial killings, asserting that incidents were not state-sponsored. However, he openly acknowledged the existence of a small “death squad” during his earlier tenure as Davao’s mayor, which he claimed was formed to eliminate other criminals.
Randy delos Santos, who testified about police involvement in the shooting death of his nephew Kian amid Duterte’s drug campaign, expressed his distress during the hearing, stating it felt akin to reliving a traumatic experience.
“I had this frightening feeling that thousands of innocent people may be gunned down again,” he commented, questioning why Duterte was afforded a platform to voice his past justifications.
Human rights organizations estimate that casualties from Duterte’s drug war may surpass 20,000, prompting an investigation by the International Criminal Court on allegations of crimes against humanity. These events have also exacerbated political tensions within Duterte’s family, particularly against Vice President Sara Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Disagreements over key political issues have strained relationships, with Duterte having fostered connections with leaders like Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Marcos has pivoted toward strengthening military alliances with the United States.
Duterte lamented the resurgence of drug-related crimes, pointing to disturbing reports of violence, robbery, and newly uncovered drug dens within the presidential palace complex, criticizing the return of drug perpetrators to activity.
The former President has taken swings at Marcos, accusing him of drug use, while Marcos has responded by alleging Duterte’s own opioid misuse.
Appearing frail during the lengthy hearing, Duterte at times inaccurately claimed he was 73 years old, starkly showcasing the limitations he and his family now confront following his departure from power.
He has built a reputation as one of Asia’s most unconventional leaders, known for his controversial approach to criminality, frequent use of coarse language, and a blatant disregard for human rights, which has drawn parallels between him and former U.S. President Donald Trump.
A heated exchange erupted between Duterte and Senator Risa Hontiveros, a prominent human rights advocate, when she questioned him about child casualties in his campaign. Challenging his methods, she insisted on accountability even as Duterte displayed his characteristic brashness.
Amidst the tense atmosphere, a priest presented a list of over 300 victims of Duterte’s policies, many of whom were significant contributors to their families, as a poignant illustration of the human cost of his reign.
Former Senator Leila de Lima, an outspoken Duterte critic who faced years of detention under his regime, confronted him about the fabricated charges against her that she claims were orchestrated to derail her investigations into the drug killings.
“This man… for so long has evaded justice and accountability,” she stated, directing her words at Duterte, who sat nearby.
In response to inquiries about her lack of criminal complaints against Duterte during his presidential term, de Lima highlighted the widespread fear that silenced witnesses during the rampant killings.
“There was an atmosphere of fear, a culture of fear and impunity,” she explained, expressing hope for more individuals to come forward in the pursuit of justice.