Philippines drug war: Duterte says he can be held responsible for killings

‘If you get killed it’s because I’m enraged by drugs,’ a defiant President Rodrigo Duterte said, adding he was prepared to go to jail

He is facing crimes against humanity complaints for the brutal anti-drugs crackdown, which has seen nearly 6,000 drugs suspects killed since 2016

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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is seen during a meeting at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila. He later said that unless decisive action is taken, drugs will endanger the security of the state. Photo: AP

Published: 2:08pm, 20 Oct 2020Updated: 10:12pm, 20 Oct 2020

The Philippine president has said he has no problem with being held responsible for the many killings under his anti-drugs crackdown, adding that he was ready to face charges that could land him in jail, though not charges of crimes against humanity.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s televised remarks on Monday night were among his clearest acknowledgements of the prospects that he could face a deluge of criminal charges for the bloody campaign he launched after taking office in mid-2016. Nearly 6,000 killings of drug suspects have been reported by police but rights watchdogs suspect the death toll is far larger.

“If there’s killing there, I’m saying I’m the one … you can hold me responsible for anything, any death that has occurred in the execution of the drug war,” Duterte said.

“If you get killed it’s because I’m enraged by drugs,” the tough-talking president said. “If that’s what I’m saying, bring me to court to be imprisoned. Fine, I have no problem. If I serve my country by going to jail, gladly.”

At least two complaints for crimes against humanity and mass murder in connection with Duterte’s campaign are being examined by an International Criminal Court prosecutor, who will determine whether there is enough evidence to open a full-scale investigation.