Despite the possibility of prosecution for thousands of deaths and his advanced age, former President Rodrigo Duterte stated that he is ready to double the number of those killed in his war on drugs if he is re-elected as mayor of Davao City in 2025.
"Once I return as mayor (of Davao), I will just double this (death statistics)," he said to officials and members of the House of Representatives' quad committee on Wednesday during a hearing about his brutal war on drugs, which resulted in the deaths of over 7,000 people based on official numbers. According to critics, the number is closer to over 20,000.
The International Criminal Court is conducting an investigation against Duterte and several of his former officials for possible crimes against humanity in relation to his war on drugs.
"I admit that I ordered them (the police) to go after those involved in drugs, including the big drug distributors. I will allow them all to be killed," said Duterte.
When Sta. Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez, chairman of the House committee on public order and safety, asked if he was "disappointed" with the decline in the statistics, Duterte responded with a smile and an indifferent tone, confidently stating that he would surely bring the numbers back on track.
"If I ever get the chance to be president again, I will surely take it back. They (drug lords) heard me: Don’t destroy my country. I will kill them."
"All of you," said the 79-year-old former chief executive.
Duterte, who submitted his certificate of candidacy in October, is up against lawyer Karlo Nograles, whom he first appointed as cabinet secretary and later as head of the Civil Service Commission. Nograles is the son of the late House Speaker Prospero Nograles Jr., a former political archrival of Duterte.
The late Nograles and Duterte – both lawyers – were adversaries before Duterte ran for and won the presidency in the May 2016 elections. Nograles expressed support for the veteran mayor of Davao City when he ran for a higher position, seemingly in favor of having a Mindanaoan as the country's president.
Karlo's sister, Margarita Ignacia or "Migs," is also challenging the re-election bid of another Duterte child, the current Rep. Paolo (Pulong) Duterte of the first district of Davao.
Migs and Pulong voluntarily underwent drug tests last month to show the voters and constituents that they are qualified to hold public office as representatives of the city's first district.
Migs is a first-term legislator and also a member of the leadership in the so-called Young Guns club, where she represents the Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta party-list.
Like her older brother, she is also a lawyer by profession.
Pulong had previously served as one of the deputy speakers of the House when his father was president.
