Former President Rodrigo Duterte visited Tuesday the wake of storm victims in Laurel and Talisay, Batangas—one day after appearing in a Senate public hearing, where he openly dodged responsibility for the deaths of innocent casualties in his war on drugs.
In a series of photos released by the Office of the Vice President (OVP), Duterte was seen kissing coffins, distributing cash envelopes for burial assistance, extending sympathies and engaging in photo opportunities with the relatives of disaster victims.
The OVP said the former president joined their Special Projects and Public Assistance Divisions to provide support for the affected families. He also participated in relief operations of the OVP Disaster Operations Center in the province.
Duterte testified on Monday at the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee hearing on his war on drugs policy, which resulted in the deaths of thousands during his presidency. He said he was taking full responsibility for the consequences of his anti-narcotics campaign, but refused to feel guilty about it.
At the interpellation of senators, Duterte admitted having a seven-member death squad in Davao City, who engaged in killing criminals. He did not specify details about, citing his aging mental acuity, adding that the members of the said squad were already dead.
