Cops should not hesitate to kill suspect 'if situation calls for it' — Duterte

Former President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, November 13, attends the House quad comm hearing on the alleged extrajudicial killings and human rights violations from his administration’s war on drugs. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Former President Rodrigo Duterte told the House quad committee on Wednesday a police officer must not hesitate to kill a drug suspect "if the situation calls for it".

He said this was his "philosophy" when ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro mentioned that killing is not a solution to help supposed drug addicts who once faced difficulties in finding jobs.

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"If the situation calls for it, I will not hesitate," he stressed.

Duterte has repeated the same argument over the years, but at a parallel hearing at the Senate said that he had told police to goad alleged drug personalities to fight back so they could be killed.

"The police should not hesitate especially facing the criminal who is also going to kill you. Kapag hinuli mo, dapat patayin mo talaga. At ayaw kong makita na buhay 'yan kasi gagamutin mo pa sa ospital, gagastos pa ang gobyerno. Tapos itatapon mo sa presuhan papakainin mo pa. Tapusin mo na, that is my philosophy," he continued.

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"And I do not believe in you Mr. Chair," Castro responded.

Duterte said it is up to the lawmakers if they would like his beliefs or not.

"If you do not like my ideology, fine. That's mine. Bahala ka na sa buhay mo," the former president stated.

"Opo, at bahala na rin po 'yung hustisya. 'Yung batas whether dito sa bansa or sa ibang bansa. Mr Chair, kung ganiyan po ang line of thinking ni Mr. Duterte, na ganiyan niya ituring ang mga mamamayan — na kapag hindi niya mabigyan ng magandang buhay, nag-droga 'yan, patayin na lang," Castro said. 

"What kind of thinking is that Mr. Chair?"

"Right thinking. What else can you think of? It's the right thinking," Duterte replied.