Images from Leila De Lima and Rody Duterte Facebook pages - De Lima has criticized Duterte’s statements that appears to condone extra-judicial killings
- She urged the President to be careful in choosing his words when directing law enforcement agencies to go after criminals
- She also vowed to lead a congressional inquiry into the spate of killings over the past weeks
MANILA, Philippines – Newly-elected senator Leila De Lima has criticized the statements of President Rodrigo Duterte which she said appears to condone extra-judicial killings that started even before even before the Chief Executive formally assumed his office.
De Lima said that while there may be nothing wrong with Duterte inspiring law enforcement officers with his impassioned, even provocative statements, in his campaign to rid the country of illegal drugs, the President may be unwittingly encouraging them to break the law.
“Ang problema nga lang, may mga alanganin na statements, with due respect, ang ating Pangulo na nag-e-encourage o nagpo-promote o nagko-condone ng summary killings,” GMA News’ Xianne Arcangel has quoted De Lima as saying in a radio interview.
[The problem is, there are controversial statements, with due respect, by our President that seems to encourage or promote or condone summary killings.]
De Lima, a former Justice secretary and human rights commissioner, is one of Duterte’s foremost and most vocal critics. The two have been at loggerheads over issues of alleged human rights violations purportedly committed by Duterte during his term as mayor of Davao City.
De Lima also said Duterte should choose his words carefully when directing law enforcement agencies to go after suspected drug lords and pushers, as this could be misinterpreted and could put him, as well as the police officers, in a tight legal spot.
“When he says ‘go after them, be resolute be firm, wag kayo matakot, pero ingat din kayo na ‘wag kalimutan ang isinasaad ng batas,” she noted.
[When he says ‘go after them, be resolute be firm, do not be afraid, but be careful about following what is stated in the laws.]
She added killing should only be the last resort, but make sure that those who are killed are the ones who really resisted arrest and tried to fight back, otherwise, these situation will no longer be believable.
De Lima also vowed to act as the ‘fiscalizer’ to the anti-crime thrust of the current administration.
“I know that this campaign of the administration resonates among a lot of our people as it is truly laudable, but we must be constantly reminded that this should not be done at the expense of our civil liberties,” she told Inquirer in a separate interview.
The neophyte senator has called for a congressional inquiry in the spate of killings since Duterte assumed office last June 30. She is expected to be joined by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, another staunch Duterte critic, and Senator Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan.
Post a Comment