Duterte admits death squad

MANILA, Philippines — In an expletive-laced defense of his bloody war on drugs, former president Rodrigo Duterte yesterday admitted having organized a death squad against criminals, but claimed it was composed not of police officers but of “gangsters” and wealthy persons who liked killing.

Aided by a walking cane, Duterte attended the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee investigation wherein he also admitted “full, moral and legal responsibility” for the killings in his brutal crackdown on the drug scourge.

“Thousands were killed when I was mayor, but they are criminals. I can make a confession now, if you want. I have a death squad. But they are not composed of police. They are gangsters,” Duterte, 79, said in his rambling and profanity-laden answers to senators who questioned his alleged state policy of ordering deadly operations against low-level drug pushers and users.

His alleged death squad was composed of “gangsters” and not police officers, Duterte said, because he did not want his officers to risk suspension if they killed a drug suspect.

“Do not question my policies because I offer no apologies or excuses. I did what I had to do. I did it for my country. The war on illegal drugs is not about killing people. It is about protecting the innocent and the defenseless,” he said.

“For all its successes and shortcomings, the drug war was not a perfect one. I want to leave this behind to the Filipino people, because I would never have another chance in the future. I – and I alone – take full, legal and moral responsibility,” Duterte added.

He also denied allegations made by retired police colonel Royina Garma that he implemented a cash reward system for police officers who killed drug suspects.

Duterte also denied asking Garma to recommend an Iglesia ni Cristo member in the police force to help replicate nationwide the Davao model of the drug war.

Garma begged off from yesterday’s hearing as she was on medical leave, according to Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III, who presided over the hearing.

The former president also denied ordering his Philippine National Police (PNP) commanders to kill a defenseless drug suspect, although he said he encouraged the