Structure of Duterte’s killing machine in the Philippines ‘real’

MANILA, Philippines – Rappler senior investigative reporter Lian Buan spoke with Carlos Conde, journalist and former Human Rights Watch (HRW) researcher, about the submissions made by lead defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman on the final day of the pre-trial hearing at the International Criminal Court regarding former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs on Friday, February 27. 

Conde, who previously worked with HRW, authored and contributed to multiple reports documenting human rights violations linked to Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, providing detailed accounts of killings, police operations, and patterns of impunity. 

In addition, Conde covered Duterte extensively during his tenure as Davao City mayor, reporting on local policing, vigilante-style killings, and alleged links to the so-called Davao Death Squad.

During the hearing, Kaufman repeatedly emphasized that the Davao Death Squad, which has been central to many allegations of extrajudicial killings, is not a real or organized entity. He argued that references to the group are based on anecdotal reports and hearsay, challenging the prosecution’s claims that it operated as a coordinated network during Duterte’s local governance and later influenced national anti-drug operations. 

Conde explained that while the defense sought to discredit evidence of the Davao Death Squad, HRW and other human rights organizations have consistently documented patterns of killings linked to Duterte’s policies, both in Davao City and nationally. 

The final day follows three days of detailed presentations from all parties, which included submissions of merits and legal arguments. So far, the hearings have highlighted the defense’s efforts to challenge claims of systematic killings during Duterte’s war on drugs, while the prosecution has outlined patterns and directives it argues link the state to the alleged crimes.

– Rappler.com