Dwayne Pelagio

Former president Rodrigo Duterte admitted during the House quad committee hearing on Nov. 13 that a “reward system” for police officers during his drug war campaign.

Photo Courtesy of Inquirer/Philippine Star/Human Rights Watch.

During the interpellation by Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raoul Manuel, Duterte answered that there is a cash reward system.

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

Sta. Rosa Lone District Rep. Dan Fernandez asked if the Office of the President requested a larger budget for the reward system.

That’s correct. You have to spend money for operations, for intelligence,” Duterte replied to the lawmaker’s question.

He stated that the reward goes to the police whether a suspect was arrested or killed, as long as the case was considered solved.

The former chief executive 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 during the hearing.

Duterte added that the police really need to be funded, especially if there is a serious crime like kidnapping.

When Manuel asked about whether the peace and order funds came from the confidential and intelligence funds, Duterte refrained from answering the question because “it is why it is called confidential.”

"I am protecting the interest of the Republic when I dispense confidential funds to the military and police,” the former president added to his answer.

"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 said in the hearing.

Former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Royina Garma said during the House hearing on Oct. 10 that Duterte her in 2016 about the creation of a task force which will implement the so-called “Davao model” on a nationwide scale.

The alleged Davao model involved providing cash grants worth P20,000 to P1 million to cops who kill drug suspects.