PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON Harry L. Roque, Jr on Monday, Dec. 11, slammed detained Senator Leila de Lima and Commission on Human Rights Chairman Jose Luis Martin “Chito” C. Gascon, calling them hypocrites, for continuously accusing the administration of being behind alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) under the drug war. Mr. Roque pointed out that these two officials are signatories of Administrative Order No. 35, signed by former President Benigno S.C. Aquino III, which gave a definition to EJKs that excludes the killings of suspected drug suspects. “How is it now that when drug pushers or users die, Senator De Lima and Chairman Gascon insist that these are EJKs? Their sudden about-face is baffling given that these drug pushers and users are not members or affiliated with any political, environmental, agrarian, or labor organization. These drug pushers or users are likewise not journalists,” Mr. Roque said in a statement sent to reporters. — Rosemarie A. Zamora

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