An eye for an eye': some Duterte death squad members unrepentant as he awaits ICC trial

"The kills were easier to swallow after a few drinks. Following each operation the police death squads would haunt Manila's bars to take the edge off, and because some were superstitious, to ward off malevolent spirits following them home. Imagine, I kill 47 people and can just sleep? No, I was drinking, drinking just to sleep, says one. You need to release stress and we are Filipino If we go home after killing, the spirit may follow you."

"Rights groups believe up to 30,000 alleged drug users and dealers were slaughtered in the so-called drug war that wracked the Philippines after Rodrigo Duterte assumed power in 2016. Many of those killings, it is alleged, were at the hands of secretive police death squads. Eight years on, Duterte is detained at The Hague, where he has been charged with crimes against humanity at the international criminal court (ICC) for allegedly orchestrating the campaign."

"The Guardian interviewed four Philippine national police officers, including three former death squad members and one homicide detective, who were part of teams they claim killed about 400 people, including in senseless vendettas. As victims' families long for justice, the officers are largely unrepentant, and across the Philippines a deep affection for Duterte endures. All the officers interviewed two of whom have since retired believe the killing spree was justified. Bad people, they agreed, deserve to die."

Police death squads frequented Manila bars after operations, with officers drinking to sleep and to ward off malevolent spirits they believed might follow them home. Rights groups estimate up to 30,000 alleged drug users and dealers were killed during the 2016–onward drug war under Rodrigo Duterte. Some killings are attributed to secretive police teams. Several police members claim participation in operations that killed hundreds and express belief the killings were justified, saying 'bad people' deserve death. Duterte faces charges at the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity related to the campaign. Official police responses have been limited or dismissive.

Read at www.theguardian.com