Former president Rodrigo Duterte confirmed allegations regarding a reward system implemented during his administration’s war on drugs at the 11th hearing of the House Quad Committee.
Duterte made the admission when questioned by Kabataan Party-list Representative Raoul Manuel, who asked if the claims about a reward system were true.
“Reward? Correct, very correct. Talagang totoo at minsan bigyan ko pa dagdag,” Duterte said.
In a previous hearing, Royina Garma, the former general manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and a former police colonel with close ties to Duterte, revealed the details of the reward system. She described it as the “Davao Model” and confirmed that Duterte had ordered former National Police Commission commissioner Edilberto Leonardo to implement the incentive-based model for those involved in eliminating individuals on a hit list.
The reward ranged from P20,000 to P1 million, depending on the “value” of the person “neutralized.”
“If there is an operation which is not funded by the police, you have to provide,” Duterte explained to Manuel, recounting how he personally covered expenses such as gasoline and food.
“I sometimes gave extra as a reward,” the former president added.
Manuel further probed Duterte about the source of the funds for the rewards, asking if they came from the Office of the President’s confidential and intelligence budgets.
“I will not answer your question,” Duterte said.
“Kaya tinawag yan, sir, na intelligence fund na confidential kaya ‘wag kang magtanong kung anong confidential ginawa ko. Confidential nga eh,” he added.
“Do not make me account for something that I cannot do legally,” Duterte emphasized.