Davao Death Squad

The Davao Death Squad (DDS) is a death squad group in Davao City, Philippines, founded in the late 1980s by then mayor Rodrigo Duterte. The group is alleged to have conducted summary executions of street children and individuals suspected of petty crimes and drug dealing. It has been estimated that the group is responsible for the killing or disappearance of more than 1400 people by 2016. A 2009 report by the Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR) noted stonewalling by local police under the mayorship of Duterte while a leaked cable observed a lack of public outrage among Davao residents. Duterte has been arrested and is scheduled to face trial for the killings on 30 November 2026.