Photo credit: Senate PH

Former President Rodrigo Duterte made a spirited defense of his administration's controversial war on drugs, stating that the campaign was about protecting the innocent and defenseless Filipinos from the dangers of illegal drugs. Appearing before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on October 28, Duterte was clear: he stands by his choices, insisting his motivations were always in the service of the nation.

"I offer no apologies, no excuses," Duterte declared, his voice firm. "I did what I had to do, and whether you believe it or not, I did it for my country."

He reiterated that illegal drugs — from shabu to marijuana and party drugs — are a menace that can destroy families, communities, and lives. Duterte said he despises not just the drugs themselves but also those who push them into society, referring to drug dealers, traffickers, and suppliers as a threat to the country's well-being.

Duterte also highlighted the actions he took to prevent abuses within law enforcement, something critics have long challenged. "I never allowed police or soldiers to abuse their power, not as mayor and certainly not as President," he said in Filipino.

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, a longtime ally of Duterte, echoed the former president's sentiments, asserting that the administration had a zero-tolerance stance on human rights violations by law enforcement. Go cited "ninja cops" — rogue police officers involved in illegal drug activities — as an example, underscoring that abuse of authority was not condoned under Duterte's leadership.

Go emphasized the importance of respecting human rights in law enforcement, calling on his fellow lawmakers to work together to curb abuses of power and ensure that the rights of every citizen are upheld.

"Our efforts must focus on guiding our police and military to fulfill their mandate while upholding the law," Go concluded.

In defending the war on drugs, Duterte's message was clear: he sees it as a necessary, albeit difficult, fight to protect those most vulnerable to the ravages of drugs and the criminal networks that profit from them.