Former President Rodrigo Duterte on November 13, 2024, during the Quad-Comm hearing on the extrajudicial killings, addressing alleged human rights violations from his administration’s war on drugs. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Former President Rodrigo Duterte has confirmed the existence of a cash reward scheme for cops during his war on drugs, saying also that that did not mean that police were incentivized to kill alleged drug personalities.

Duterte and his former aides had previously denied that he incentivized police officers involved in anti-drug operations after at least two former police officers affirmed its existence. 

But the former president before the House quad committee hearing on Wednesday backtracked and confirmed that such a cash reward system was in place.

"Reward? Correct, very correct, talagang totoo at minsan bigyan ko pa ng dagdag," he said.

(Correct. That is true, and sometimes I give a little extra)

Later in the hearing, he said the reward would go to the police whether a suspect was arrested or killed, as long as the case was considered solved.

Ex-NAPOLCOM commissioner Leonardo confirms 'drug war' reward system

FUNDS FOR THE OPERATION

Duterte alleged that many heads of local governments authorize a reward system.

He explained that "you have to provide" funds whenever an operation lacked police funding, especially in out-of-town cases.

"If it's Davao City, outside of the province, Cotabato, prosecutor kasi ako, so I will begin to count kung magkano. 'Sir, nasa South Cotabato'. Gaano kalayo 'yan? Ano'ng gamitin n'yo? May gasolina, pagkain? Bigyan ko 'yan sila P20,000," he said.

(If they have to go outside Davao City, I will start calculating... how far away is that? What will you be using? Do you have gasoline? Food? I will give them P20,000)

He said the money is meant for the operation.

"Pag may sobra, 'yan di naubos kasi nahuli kaagad kasi marami eh, hindi mo mabulsa 'yan kasi marami kayo sa team na pulis. Sasabihin mo talaga 'yan, 'Sir, may sobra dito, Sir. Ilan? Kalahati? Sabihin ko, inyo na 'yan." 

(If there is money left over. They did not spend it all because they caught the suspect quickly. They will say 'sir, there is money left over.' I will thell them to keep it)

During the hearing, he referred to the money as "for the boys."

Duterte also confirmed that a certain "Muking," who supposedly handled funds for the reward system, was an employee of the Presidential Management Staff.

'HINDI KA NAMAN COA'

Duterte said he sourced money for the scheme from the "peace and order funds of the government."

When asked by Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel whether the peace and order funds came from the Office of the President, Duterte said: "Lahat ng opisina, sir, from the president down to governors, mayors, may peace and order fund. Discretionary 'yan."

(All executive offices, from the president down to the governors, mayors have peace and order fund. That is a discretionary fund) 

Manuel further probed the fund and asked whether it was from Duterte's confidential and intelligence funds. 

"Kaya tinawag 'yan sir na intelligence pati confidential, kaya 'wag kang magtanong kung ano ang confidential na ginawa ko. Confidential nga eh," he said.

(That is why it is called intelligence and confidential, so do not ask me what I did because it is confidential. It is confidential)

He said: "I am protecting the interest of the Republic when I dispense confidential funds to the military and police."

Manuel insisted that his question was relevant, pointing out that the circular on confidential and intelligence funds does not prohibit general questions about the use of secret funds.

"You are asking as if you're from the COA (Commission on Audit). Hindi ka naman COA, hindi kita sagutin nang tama kasi wala rin akong alam. COA, kailangan mo ng report, so you have to bring the papers," Duterte replied.

(You are not COA. I will not answer you properly because I don't know the details.)

WATCH THE HOUSE QUAD COMM HEARING