Duterte testifies on death squads before Senate panel

Former President Rodrigo Duterte appeared before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Monday to discuss allegations related to death squads during his presidency. He revealed he assembled a seven-man hit squad while serving as mayor of Davao, composed not of police but gangsters tasked with targeting those who committed serious crimes.

Duterte clarified that he did not order summary killings, instead encouraging suspects to fight so they could be killed legally. He also stated that several Philippine National Police (PNP) chiefs during his term were heads of death squads as part of their duties in controlling crime.

The Senate investigation into the drug war was initiated following revelations made during House quad-committee hearings and resolutions filed by Senator Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa and Sen. Bong Go.