Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa denied any involvement in the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS) and questioned its existence, calling it a media creation used to describe killings of drug personalities.
Dela Rosa made the statement in a press briefing on Wednesday during the Defense and Sporting Arms Show at the SMX Convention Center, addressing recent claims made by former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma.
In an affidavit submitted to the House Quad Committee investigating extrajudicial killings, Garma confirmed the existence of the DDS, citing her experience as a Davao City police officer.
“It was propagated by the media using that term [DDS]. I’ve been very consistent: DDS is a media creation,” Dela Rosa said, stressing that he had never supported or condoned such a group.
The senator, a former Davao City police chief and architect of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs, made the denial in response to Garma’s claim that the DDS operated in secrecy, with officers discouraged from discussing the group’s activities.
“As far as I’m concerned, DDS does not exist. I do not tolerate a death squad, and if I ever caught one, I would file a case against that person,” Dela Rosa added.
Garma, a police officer in Davao City since 1997, said in her affidavit that the DDS operated under a “culture of silence” within law enforcement. This, she noted, made it difficult for higher authorities to properly investigate the killings tied to anti-drug operations.
Meanwhile, Dela Rosa also dismissed allegations of a reward system that incentivized police officers to eliminate drug suspects, with bounties reportedly ranging from PHP20,000 to PHP1 million depending on the target.
“As far as I’m concerned, there is no reward system. I never gave any rewards; I don’t recognize that reward system,” Dela Rosa said. He emphasized that it was the police’s duty to rid their areas of illegal drugs without the need for financial incentives.
“You know me. I do not tolerate criminals,” he said, reinforcing his stance on upholding the law against all illegal activities.
The discussion surrounding the DDS resurfaced amid ongoing congressional investigations into extrajudicial killings linked to the government’s anti-drug campaign.
Garma’s testimony is among several pieces of evidence being reviewed by lawmakers as they explore potential abuses of power by law enforcement during the campaign. (PNA)
