Asia Pacific Daily Philippine reporter Jasmin Dacua
Published by: Asia Pacific Daily
Some former Philippine police officers who were members of the firing squad during former President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs reportedly remain unrepentant, even as Duterte himself faces trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In the interview, four police officers, including three former executions and a murder detective, said they thought their actions were justified, especially against criminals they thought.
One official spoke outright: “The bad people are damned,” while another official appealed to the biblical idea of vengeance: “Eye for Eyes.” They described their work as part of a wider movement, but admitted that many killings were not based on strong evidence.
They also revealed that after experiencing these executions, some people would go to bars to borrow alcohol, some to get stuck in the abuse of alcohol, and try to get rid of the psychological trauma of their behavior. One of them claimed that he had to mess up his own conscience, saying: "When there is a body hanging with a badge, we will not conduct a comprehensive investigation."
Their statements contradict the global demand for accountability. The arrest and ICC charges against Duterte have brought renewed attention to the deep culture of impunity in the Philippine police force. Critics argue that the confessions are chilling confirmation of a long-suspected pattern of abuse.
Duterte’s legal team insisted that the allegations were repeated, politically motivated, and said they strongly denied the allegations. Meanwhile, supporters in the Philippines continued to show loyalty, indicating that despite the death toll of as many as 30,000 people, many still regarded him as the leader of ordering.
Observers warn that in order to achieve true justice, investigative agencies must look beyond symbolic gestures. Prosecution must be feasible, evidence must be preserved, and witness protection must be guaranteed-not only for the head of state, but for all those who commit the killings.
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