No cash reward in drug war, says Duterte

DAVAO CITY — There is no truth to the claim that former President Rodrigo Duterte provided cash reward system in the implementation of his administration’s controversial war on drugs.

Duterte’s comments came in response to allegations made by retired police colonel Royina Garma, who stated that officers were rewarded with up to P1 million per kill under the so-called Davao template for the nationwide war on drugs.

In an interview with SMNI on October 18, Duterte insisted that no monetary rewards were ever offered for police killings in the war on drugs.

“What they are saying about a reward, there was no reward. I would never give a reward,” Duterte stated firmly.

He elaborated that the only recognition he provided to police officers who successfully completed their missions was a meal and words of congratulations.

“When they accomplished their mission, I would invite them to a restaurant for a meal, and I would congratulate them. Cops are heavy drinkers. Just give them two bottles of scotch, and they won’t accept any money. They’d feel embarrassed,” he remarked.

During the interview, Duterte emphasized that he never issued explicit orders to kill. “I never meant to kill. I always told soldiers to give suspects a chance to fight back. If they do, then you are justified in killing them,” he explained.

Senator Ronald dela Rosa, the first chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) under Duterte, and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, a close aide of the former president, have both denied any involvement in a cash reward system tied to the “Davao model” of the drug war.

Duterte and Dela Rosa are currently under investigation by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity stemming from the drug war, which resulted in thousands of deaths, primarily among poor drug users and street pushers. Official government figures cite over 6,000 deaths, while human rights organizations estimate the toll could be as high as 30,000.

The drug war, launched in 2016, has been widely criticized for its brutality and the significant loss of life, raising questions about accountability and human rights in the Philippines.