We will protect ourselves – cops

Human rights matter but the police have to protect themselves when suspects fire shots during illegal drug operations to resist arrest.

"We would like to protect lives… everybody, including kadtong mga suspect, etc., lalo na sa drugs… however, don’t force us to defend ourselves kay lisud pud kung ang police pud ang madisgrasya. As long as they don’t resist and follow the law, amo na sila pangdakpon lang," said Police Regional Office–7 Director Debold Sinas.

Sinas made the statement following the statement of President Rodrigo Duterte during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) that the drug war will be more “chilling.”

What this means, Sinas said, is that efforts will be double in the controversial drug war.

He said the police will observe operational guidelines and rules of engagement, which say that they only shoot in the presence of eminent danger.

"Kung ma-target mo sa operation, as long as you do not fight, you do not draw any gun from the policemen, the policemen will arrest you, buhay. However, if you will resist and shoot it out with us, I have already discussed this, we have to protect our lives also," Sinas said.

Several fatalities were recorded in antidrug operations since Sinas assumed as PRO-7 chief, the most recent of which was in Barangay Tejero last Friday when suspect Gerwin Wilhoit succumbed to a gunshot wound after allegedly shooting it out with cops.

At the Cebu City Hall, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he considers Duterte as a “perfect” leader because of his serious campaign against illegal drugs.

"He is still one of the best presidents because he cracked down on drugs…Not all people agree with me. Basta sakto gyud na," Osmeña said.

Osmeña said the city supports the campaign. In fact, the Cebu City Police Office was hailed as this year's" Best City Police" in Central Visayas for its outstanding performance in the fight against illegal drugs and other forms of criminality.

"You know, our police department was selected as the most efficient anti-drug unit in the whole Philippines," Osmeña said.

What he hopes for the government to strengthen is its campaign against corruption.

He said government must run after abusive business establishments and one way to do it is to go after tax evaders.

In Cebu City alone, several business establishments have been shut down for their failure to pay taxes.

These include, among others, two branches of the famous Rico's Lechon and the restaurant's central commissary, Abuhan restaurant, and Vic Enterprises.

ARROYO

Meanwhile, Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said the election of Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal – Arroyo as the new Speaker of the House, should have been done some other time after the SONA because the same stole the spotlight from the president's address.

She commended the president for following his script and not using curse words. She also appreciated that Duterte talked about what can be done rather than showcasing what his administration has done.

“It was delivered like a statesman,” she said.

BORING

Unlike Magpale, the Partido Manggagawa was not impressed by this year's SONA and the House movement that catapulted Arroyo to the speakership.

"We shed no tears for the hour-long delay in the SONA. The House intramurals expose that the old rotten politics is alive and kicking under PRRD despite his repeated promises of change. Bulok, bulok, bulok sa halip na build, build, build," the statement reads.

It said that there is nothing new in the SONA because the president still did not heed the workers' plea.

"Workers and the poor are suffering under Duterte. Besides ENDO and inflation, workers communities are ravaged by the bloody war on drugs and the wanton arrest of tambays," PM said.