Gov’t prepared to follow SC’s order to submit war vs drugs documents

The government is prepared to follow the Supreme Court's (SC) directive to submit documents related to its war on illegal drugs.

Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the Palace expects the Philippine National Police (PNP) to submit the data sought by the Supreme Court, insisting the government has nothing to hide.

"The Office of the Solicitor General has argued that there are certain security concerns that need to be addressed in connection with this matter but since the Supreme Court has apparently made a final order for the production of this particular document by the law enforcement agencies of the government, I guess we have no other alternative except to comply subject to certain security checks and requirements," Guevarra said during a Palace press briefing.

"If that's the final order of the Supreme Court, all agencies of the government bound by that order are supposed to comply and follow," he added.

Guevarra has expressed confidence that the submission of the drug war-related documents would not have an adverse impact on the government's campaign against the narcotics trade.

"Wala naman kaming nakikitang potential effect dahil wala naman tinatago ang law enforcement agencies dito sa mga dokumentong ito (We don't see any potential effect because the law enforcement agencies have nothing to hide in these documents) except for the security of possible witnesses and so forth and so on," he added.

The Supreme Court earlier directed the PNP to submit reports on the killing of more than 4,000 suspects in the government's drug war. The court has rejected an appeal filed by the Office of the Solicitor General to resign an earlier order requiring the submission of such police reports.

The PNP has been directed to comply with the order within 15 days from receipt of notice. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)