Former President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to stand by his past declarations taking complete ownership of his administration’s controversial anti-drug campaign, even as legal proceedings against him unfold at the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to former House Quad Committee chairperson Robert Ace Barbers.
Addressing discussions on whether the former chief executive might shift blame onto law enforcement commanders or operational officers to minimize personal legal jeopardy, Barbers expressed skepticism that Duterte would alter his long-standing position.
“Pero mukhang hindi niya babaguhin dahil ang kanyang naunang statement, sinasabi niya, ‘I’ll take full responsibility.’ ’Yun ang lagi niyang paulit-ulit na binibigkas noon kapag natatanong siya about the results of this war on drugs,” Barbers noted.
The former Surigao del Norte representative’s comments come as Duterte recently appeared before the ICC ahead of the scheduled trial concerning alleged crimes against humanity stemming from thousands of deaths during his anti-drug crackdown.
Manila Representative Benny Abante Jr., who served alongside Barbers on the House Quad Committee investigating the drug war, highlighted past assurances given by the former president to law enforcers involved in fatal operations.
“Noong Quad Comm hearing natin, sinabi pa ng ating dating Pangulo na siya ang bahala doon sa mga pulis na nakapatay,” Abante pointed out.
Barbers echoed this memory, pointing out that Duterte repeatedly asserted: “I’ll take full responsibility.”
Throughout his presidency, Duterte consistently defended officers conducting legitimate anti-drug operations, insisting he alone would account for the outcomes of his flagship policy. Abante noted that Duterte had also promised legal assistance to police personnel facing court cases linked to anti-drug activities.
“Bibigyan niya ng mga abogado. Ang tanong, nasaan na, nasaan na ’yung pangako niya sa mga pulis na ’yan?” Abante questioned.
While prosecutors at the Hague allege that the killings constituted a widespread and systematic assault against civilians, the former leader maintains his innocence and denies any criminal wrongdoing.