Former Philippine President Duterte is facing a Senate investigation into the drug war

MANILA – Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared Oct. 28 at a Senate inquiry into his government drug war that killed thousands of peoplethe first time he has taken part in an investigation by lawmakers since his term ended in 2022.

The hearing into his deadly drug campaign takes place against the backdrop of escalating feud between the clans of Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, a Duterte ally and former police chief who implemented the drug war, earlier called for the chamber’s own investigation to counter an ongoing probe at the House of Representatives.

“I am here to tell the truth, and as I do so, I see the web of lies being undone, thread by thread,” Dela Rosa said in his opening statement on October 28, addressing the House of Representatives investigation. called it a ‘gag show’. .

The former leader is expected to respond to questions from senators during the proceedings.

“Duterte’s participation is of great importance, as the chief architect of this war. Any investigation will be incomplete if he is not questioned,” said opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros.

The 79-year-old Duterte last week skipped a hearing by a House of Representatives panel conducting extensive investigations into alleged extrajudicial killings as part of his government’s narcotics crackdown, which is also being investigated by the International Criminal Court for possible crimes against humanity.

The Duterte family’s ties with Marcos have been roiled over policy differences, with the ex-president’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, saying earlier this month that Marcos “doesn’t know how to be president” in her sharpest attack yet on its campaign partner in 2022. BLOOMBERG