Former President Rodrigo Duterte has denied claims that a reward system was in place during his administration’s controversial war on illegal drugs. In an interview with Sonshine Media Network International, Duterte clarified that he never offered monetary rewards for successful police operations, instead providing meals and congratulations to officers who completed their missions.
“‘Yang sinasabi nilang reward, walang reward ‘yan. Hindi ako magbibigay ng reward,” Duterte stated, emphasizing that his recognition came in the form of treating the police to meals and drinks, never cash.
The denial follows allegations made by retired police colonel Royina Garma during a House of Representatives Quad Committee hearing, where she mentioned that cash rewards ranging from ₱20,000 to ₱1 million were allegedly offered per killing during the drug war.
Duterte also addressed accusations regarding extrajudicial killings, maintaining that he never ordered police to kill anyone but instructed them to give suspects a chance to fight back. He further confirmed that he tapped members of Iglesia Ni Cristo for the drug war, citing trust in the religious group’s discipline and reliability.
The drug war, which resulted in the deaths of 6,000 individuals according to police records, has been a subject of ongoing debate. Human rights groups, however, estimate the number of deaths to be as high as 30,000, including vigilante killings.