Families of 14 farmers killed in Negros Oriental should file charges, says Malacañang

MALACAÑANG ON Tuesday said the families of 14 farmers killed in police operations in Negros Oriental “should file charges.” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said this in response to the findings of a human rights groups’ probe that the farmers, suspected by authorities to be supporters of the communist movement, were “summarily executed.” “We assure the families of the fourteen farmers who died during the simultaneous police operations in Negros Oriental that President (Rodrigo R.) Duterte will not allow police brutality nor will he tolerate police abuse,” Mr. Panelo said in a statement on Tuesday. He added: “The Palace is waiting for the official copy of the report on the investigation, which the Philippine National Police is now currently doing with a team from its national headquarters now in Negros Oriental to start the probe.” He further said that there is a “presumption of regularity on the police action as the operations were backed by search warrants.” “The families, however, can always file criminal charges against the police officers, and they should if the circumstances warrant, as this is the proper and legal recourse available to them,” Mr. Panelo said.— Arjay L. Balinbin