Former President Rodrigo Duterte defended Monday his administration's war against drugs that has been blamed for extrajudicial killings in the country during his watch.

Duterte arrived at the Senate half past nine, just in time for the 10AM hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee on the War on Drugs at the Senate Session Hall.

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He was met at the senators' entrance by Sergeant at Arms Roberto Ancan as well as Senate staff.

"I did what I had to do because kailangan kong gawin. Why? To protect the people and my country," Duterte said when he stopped to answer a few questions from the media.

The former president said it is up to the Filipino people to make a judgment about his drug war.

"I am here to make an accounting of what I did as President so walang problema," he said when asked about facing off with critic and former Senator Leila de Lima, who arrived moments before Duterte did.

De Lima was detained during Duterte's administration for alleged involvement in the drug trade. Witnesses who linked her to the drug trade have since recanted, saying they were pressured to testify against her.