Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra shared that while rumors circulated about a reward system for killing drug suspects during Duterte’s presidency, no witnesses ever confirmed it.
“There were just rumors, but no one came forward to testify that such a system was initiated by high-level officials,” Guevarra stated during an interview with Balitanghali.
The existence of a reward system came to light when former PCSO general manager Royina Garma revealed in a House Quad Committee hearing that Duterte sought someone to implement the “Davao model” on a national scale—a model allegedly involving payments for drug suspect eliminations.
Guevarra, who served as Justice Secretary under Duterte, remarked that the DOJ’s investigation into the drug war was interrupted by the change in leadership to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. He expressed hope that the DOJ would resume the probe, especially since the QuadComm has uncovered new evidence that wasn’t previously available.
Guevarra also argued that the ongoing QuadComm hearings should prompt the International Criminal Court (ICC) to halt its probe, reiterating that the ICC no longer has jurisdiction over the Philippines following its 2019 withdrawal from the Rome Statute.
He welcomed the QuadComm’s efforts, stating that their investigation aligns with the ICC prosecutor’s original intentions. “The legislative inquiry has deepened, revealing aspects of the drug war that were previously hidden,” Guevarra said. He suggested that the ICC might be closely monitoring these developments.
Official records indicate around 6,200 deaths during Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, though human rights groups estimate the toll could be as high as 30,000, including unreported cases.