Duterte attends House hearing on drug war after initial cancellation

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte attended a House committee hearing on the drug war on Wednesday, despite initial cancellations. He arrived at the Batasang Pambansa complex with his former spokesperson, Salvador Panelo. The hearing was rescheduled after House Secretary General Reginald Velasco announced it would proceed. Duterte's involvement in the drug war has been a focal point in the hearings, with testimonies linking him to a rewards system for police officers involved in drug-related killings. Retired police colonel Royina Garma supported claims of a rewards system and mentioned the Davao Death Squad, which Duterte allegedly established during his time as mayor. Duterte previously acknowledged creating a hit squad but later retracted that statement.