Ex-President Duterte denies drug war rewards system

Former President Rodrigo Duterte denied that a reward system was implemented during his administration’s controversial campaign against illegal drugs. 

According to a report on “24 Oras” on Friday, Duterte said in an interview that the only reward he gives to the police who successfully complete their mission is food and greetings. 

“‘Yang sinasabi nilang reward, walang reward ‘yan. Hindi ako magbibigay ng reward,” he said told Sonshine Media Network International. 

(There was no reward. I will never give a reward.) 

“Ang pinakaano [ng mga pulis] sa akin is ‘pag mission accomplished, yayain ko sila sa restaurant, magkain kami and I congratulate them. Tsaka palainom ang pulis. Bigyan mo ng dalawang boteng scotch…hindi ‘yan tatanggap ng pera. Nahihiya ‘yan,” he added. 

(If their mission is accomplished, I treat the police to the restaurant and I congratulate them. Knowing cops, they are heavy drinkers. You just give them two bottles of scotch, and they will never accept any money.) 

Retired police colonel Royina Garma earlier told the House of Representatives Quad Committee that there was a cash reward paid per killing in the Duterte administration's war on drugs ranging from P20,000 to P1 million.

The past administration’s war on drugs has killed 6,000 drug personalities based on police records, but human rights groups contend that the deaths reached as much as 30,000, including vigilante killings, due to Duterte's policy.

Duterte also said that he never ordered the police force to kill anyone. 

“Hindi ko sinasabi na sinadya kong pinatay (I really didn’t mean to kill). Sabi ko nga sa mga sundalo, give them the chance to fight so that if they fight, then, you would be justified in killing them and that is one problem solved for the day. Totoo ‘yan (That’s true),” the former chief executive said. 

Further, Duterte confirmed Garma’s statement that he tapped police officers who are members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo to join the drug war. 

“Because ang Iglesia Ni Cristo, may tiwala ako at alam kong may ipapatrabaho ako, pati pera…maasahan mo. At, ‘yang pera mo, hindi masayang, hindi ibulsa, at gastusin ‘yan para sa project na pinapagawa mo sa kanila,” said Duterte. 

(I trust the Iglesia Ni Cristo whenever I request for something, because I can really trust them. Your money with them will never be wasted because they will be used for the projects I ordered them to do.) 

But the religious group said that it’s only Duterte who can really explain why he made that choice. 

“Palagay ko siya higit sa lahat ang makakapagpaliwanag nang mas malalim kung bakit ganoon ang choice niya,” said INC spokesperson Bro. Edwil Zabala.  

(It’s only him who can explain further why he made that choice.)—Vince Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News