Rappler exposes Duterte family’s stash of guns

CHEERS TO Rappler for its investigative report that revealed the formidable arsenal of guns held by former President Rodrigo Duterte together with at least four members of his family, counting a total of 654 guns. The piece, written by Lian Buan, Jairo Bolledo, and Jodesz Gavilan, asked: “Why so many?” 

The account detailed the ownership of firearms: Rodrigo Duterte has 363, his eldest son Paolo Duterte, 172, his youngest son Sebastian Duterte, 61, his son-in-law Manases Carpio, 30, and his daughter and Vice president Sara Duterte, 28. 

In December 2023, Rappler published a detailed report of the 363 firearms in Duterte’s possession which included pieces worth PHP 350,000, PHP 261,000, and PHP 163,000. The AK-47, which some states in the US seek to ban, was identified in his collection; an Israeli-made high-powered rifle Galil, and a submachine gun that can be fired from hand, hip, or shoulder.

Rappler recalled that weeks before his term as president ended in 2022, Duterte signed the law extending the validity of permits from four years to 10. The law also made it easier for active law enforcement personnel to apply for gun permits. 

In this current report, Rappler listed and visualized through graphics the number of guns belonging to each member of the family. It detailed the number of pistols, rifles, submachines, shotguns, and revolvers, describing how deadly and expensive each is. The news outlet cited as its source documents from the Philippine National Police-Firearms and Explosives Office, which issues gun licenses and regulates gun ownership.

Timely probe

Rappler also noted how its earlier report triggered an angry outburst from Duterte, who cursed as he explained that the guns were gifts to him when he was still president: “Sila nagtanong-tanong, marami kang baril, eh p********* tanong mo sa Crame, regalo ‘yan,” he said in a January 30 press conference. (They were asking – you have so many guns (expletive!) Ask Crame, they are gifts.) 

Reports did not discuss that a president accepting such gifts was still a matter of concern for the press and public. Nor did reporters point to the laws passed to facilitate ownership as serving his self-interest as a gun collector, and not public interest. 

Gun violence involves private armies and powerful clans. The article also recalled Duterte’s bloody drug war during his presidency; as well as the killings by the Davao Death Squad when he was mayor and vice mayor. In both periods, tens of thousands fell victim to guns – a period now the subject of investigation by the International Criminal Court. 

The piece is quite timely as its posting coincided with the summons of the House asking Duterte’s close friend, controversial cult leader, Apollo Quiboloy, to appear in a hearing to investigate charges against the latter. A witness during a Senate hearing said he saw Rodrigo and Sara Duterte leave Quiboloy’s compound with bags of guns, both Dutertes have denied the accusation. 

No action stars

The piece ended with photos of Rodrigo Duterte inspecting various guns while he was mayor of Davao and also while he was president. The man’s penchant for guns was not subjected to close scrutiny when he was in power. 

It is high time the public realized the extent of his and his family’s arsenal. They may not be action stars, but they are in politics and the guns make them veritable war lords. That should give the public a lot to think about as the Dutertes continue to be public figures, hogging and hounding the news.