No apologies from Malacañang as senators slam deadliest week in drug war
By Kristine Joy V. Patag, Reporter
IN WHAT has turned out to be the bloodiest week in President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs, a 17-year old student was killed by police forces, an incident that prompted condemnation even from senators who are known supporters of the administration.
Malacañang, however, has been unapologetic.
Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto C. Abella, in a briefing yesterday, said the killing of Grade 11 student Kian Loyd Delos Santos was an “isolated” incident.
“And that incident, [haply?], I think is isolated,” Mr. Abella said, as reflected in the official transcript sent to Palace reporters at 2:30 p.m.
“I cannot assume on what the Palace… what the President thinks. But what we can say with sure – with confidence is that those who are guilty of breaking the law, misuse or abuse will have to answer for that,” Mr. Abella added.
Meanwhile, senators on Friday deplored the staggering number of suspects killed in two nights, a record hailed by the President in a speech before an anti-crime group’s event in Malacañang last Wednesday.
Thirty-two were killed in Bulacan, a province immediately north of Metro Manila, on the night of August 15, Tuesday, while 25 were killed on Aug. 16 in the capital, including Mr. Delos Santos.
The bloody operations followed the controversial police raid last July 30 at the residence of Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo O. Parojino Sr., who was allegedly involved in the narcotics trade. The mayor, along with his wife, brother, and 12 others were killed.
“The body count is reaching alarming levels. We need to ensure that we are not creating killing machines,” Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara said in a statement.
“We need speedy justice machines, and ensure that we are strengthening our institutions like the courts, the police and the prosecutors,” Mr. Angara added.
Senator Francis Joseph G. Escudero pointed out the difference between the police’s report that Mr. Delos Santos shot at them, and the recorded closed circuit television (CCTV) footage that showed the student being dragged by the cops.
“The CCTV footage and eyewitness account clearly show that the boy was killed. The police officers involved are not only abusive, they are killers and criminals,” Mr. Escudero said.
“I hope [Mr. Duterte] and [Police Chief Director General Ronald M. Dela Rosa] will act swiftly on this case especially because the poor boy was not even an addict much less a pusher,” he added.
Senator Francis N. Pangilinan, president of the opposition Liberal Party, said the administration has been massacring the poor, which is not the solution to the illegal drug problem.
“Hindi araw araw na patayan ng mahihirap ang solusyon. Tutulan ang masaker ng mahihirap, (The daily killings of the poor is not the solution. Let’s oppose the massacre of the poor),” Mr. Pangilinan said.
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito also slammed the killing of Mr. Delos Santos, saying: “I have always supported legitimate law enforcement operations to further the President’s war against drugs. But we need to protect innocent civilians and avoid senseless loss of lives.”
Mr. Duterte had a landslide victory in the May 2016 elections following a campaign that stressed on eliminating criminality and illegal drugs in the country within six months. Recently, the firebrand leader has admitted that no one can fulfill what he has promised.
