MANILA, PHILIPPINES – In his opening statement before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee today, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte stated that he “offers no apologies, no excuses” regarding his war on illegal drugs.

“Do not question my policies because I offer no apologies, no excuses. I did what I had to do, and whether you believe it or not, I did it for my country,” Duterte stated, emphasizing that this is his mandate as president.

Duterte further clarified that the “war on illegal drugs is not about killing people, it’s about protecting the innocent and the defenseless.”

The former president reiterated, “I and I alone take full legal responsibility sa lahat ng nagawa ng mga pulis pursuant to my order. Ako ang managot at ako ang makulong. Huwag yung pulis na sumunod sa order ko, kawawa naman, nagtratrabaho lang.”

Appearing for the first time in a government proceeding, Duterte also stated, “Hindi ko talaga pinayagan yang abuso ng pulis o sundalo kailanman sa buong buhay ko.” He added, “It’s the duty of the police to overcome the resistance kung ayaw mag-surrender at kung may baril. At kung tingin mo, sabi ko sa mga pulis dun sa academy, mamamatay ka, barilin mo, barilin mo sa ulo, patayin mo. At least one less criminal in the community, yun ang utos ko.”

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