Palace assures probe of erring cops

Malacañang, unperturbed by the protests condemning the death of 17year-old student Kian delos Santos in the government’s illegal drugs crackdown, assured that erring policemen will be properly investigated.

Likewise, Director General Ronald dela Rosa, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, has ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to investigate the criminal liability of the policemen involved in actual death of the teenaged boy.

Delos Santos was among the dozens of people shot dead during massive anti-drug operations conducted by the police last week. His death has sparked mounting public outrage over the alleged summary killings under Duterte’s brutal drug war, prompting calls for an investigation.

“This deeply regrettable incident has triggered deep public sentiment, and challenges those in law enforcement to be wary of the reckless exercise of power and author-

ity,” Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said.

“Having said this, the President, who continues to vigorously pursue the dismantling of drug apparatus, ensures that erring enforcers will be properly investigated,” Abella said.

The death of Kian Lloyd delos Santos has put again the entire PNP organization in bad light, with the public condemning the manner of his death.

“I am not happy with the outcome of the operation. Why was that kid killed?” asked Dela Rosa.

“I have instructed the CIDG to investigate this and to expedite the investigation. The CIDG will determine the criminal liability while the IAS (Internal Affairs Service) is currently investigating the administrative aspect,” he added.

People’s right As this developed, Abella said groups are free to hold protest as long as they do not cause trouble.

“The rally for Kian is part of the people’s right to assemble, express their views and air their grievances,” he said.

Malacañang had earlier said Delos Santos’ death was an isolated incident but later conceded it was “one death too many.” The death of Delos Santos is now under investigation and the Palace has assured any police abuse would not be tolerated.

“The President has said time and again that he will allow mass protest as long as it does not cause public inconvenience or compromise public safety. This is consistent with PRRD’s philosophy that criticism – good or bad – is part of the territory of anyone working in the government,” he added.

Abella assured that the police force would apply maximum tolerance toward protesters.

“Having said this, we enjoin protesters to fully cooperate with police authorities who are expected to exercise maximum tolerance during the event,” he said.

Review approach Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) urged President Duterte to temporarily halt the all-out drug war to review the approach as the vulnerable sector of the society is now being affected.

CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia, in an interview over Brigada News FM, said that while it supports the administration’s anti-illegal drug campaign, President Duterte should now rethink of the approach in dealing with the drug menace.

“With the way things are happening, there is a need to pause the campaign to review the methodology or the approach being taken,” De Guia told Brigada News FM in Filipino.

“If a lot of people are dying already because of the campaign, and as long as we can’t be sure that everybody was really guilty, as long as innocent people are dying, and as long the basis for their deaths is questionable, then the government should really look into it,” she added.

She said it is now alarming that even the vulnerable sector of the society is now suffering the consequences of the drug war.

Even Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo, who have earlier expressed support to the government’s anti-drug campaign, does not agree in the manner by which the campaign is being carried out.

Robredo, a human rights lawyer, repeated her call for the Duterte administration to rethink its approach toward its fight against illegal drugs.

Her approach differs quite sharply as she will not resort to extra-legal measures while ensuring that human rights are not violated.

“We agree that we have a big problem with illegal drugs, but maybe there is a better way (to resolve it), in which it is not at the expense of human rights,” she said in Filipino.

The Vice President noted the drug war has cost lives of many people, especially the innocent. (With reports from Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos and Raymund F. Antonio)