During a Senate hearing on his administration’s controversial war on drugs, Former President Rodrigo Duterte delivered a bold opening statement, underscoring his commitment to public safety. “I offer no apologies and no excuses,” Duterte said, standing firmly by his administration’s anti-drug campaign, which has drawn international criticism for alleged human rights abuses. The former president emphasized his duty to protect the country and stated, “I did it for my country,” framing his actions as a necessary response to the drug crisis that, he claimed, had threatened the stability and safety of the Philippines.
Duterte’s uncompromising stance was evident throughout his speech. He defended his decision to implement a hardline approach to drug-related crimes, despite the controversy it sparked both domestically and internationally. According to Duterte, the severity of the drug problem left his administration with little choice but to act decisively. “This was a matter of national security and public health,” he asserted, arguing that the drug trade had reached a level that demanded extreme measures to contain.
The former president also took the opportunity to address critics who have called for accountability regarding extrajudicial killings linked to the war on drugs. While acknowledging that there may have been some operational flaws, Duterte argued that these were not part of a state-sponsored policy. Instead, he attributed them to the complex and often dangerous nature of drug enforcement. “No campaign is perfect,” he said, “but every effort was aimed at safeguarding the public from the pervasive influence of drugs.”
Throughout his statement, Duterte reiterated his belief that the actions taken during his presidency were justified by the gravity of the situation. He cited statistics on drug seizures and arrests as evidence of the campaign’s success, suggesting that the crackdown had disrupted significant drug operations. He further claimed that the campaign had created safer communities, a point he argued was often overlooked by his critics.
WATCH: Former President Rodrigo Duterte says he offers "no apologies and no excuses" for fulfilling his mandate to protect Filipinos through the controversial war on drugs.
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Duterte: I did it for my country
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The Senate hearing is part of an ongoing inquiry into the human rights implications of Duterte’s war on drugs, with the former president’s testimony expected to play a critical role in shaping the committee’s findings. Duterte closed his statement by reaffirming his commitment to the Filipino people and his legacy, stating, “If defending the nation means taking responsibility, then I stand here ready to do so.” His words were met with both support and skepticism, setting the stage for a heated examination of one of the most polarizing policies in recent Philippine history.