‘Phl no Wild, Wild West’
Peace and order problem can worsen – Ping
Allowing citizens to arrest suspected drug traffickers in exchange for reward money might turn the country into a “Wild, Wild West” that will only worsen peace and order problems.
The warning was issued by senator-elect Panfilo Lacson, himself accused in the past of involvement in summarily executing kidnapping and robbery suspects and who is also known for his tough stance on criminality.
Lacson, a former chief of the Philippine National Police, also expressed opposition to Duterte’s call for three PNP generals suspected of involvement in the illegal drug trade to resign or be identified and humiliated in public.
The PNP is inclined to allow Duterte to expose and relieve the police generals he believes are involved in the illegal drug trade, but officials are not daring him to name names.
Lacson issued the warning after Duterte urged citizens with guns to shoot and kill drug dealers who would resist arrest and fight back.
He said the call could cause confusion among law enforcers and civilians who might take the law into their hands so they could claim the bounty.
“While the Revised Penal Code allows citizen’s arrest and self-defense as a valid legal reason to kill a person, law enforcement authorities might lose control of the situation as civilians are not trained to gather and process intelligence or conduct overt operations against armed criminals,” Lacson said in a text message to The STAR.
He said the situation might escalate into a serious peace and order problem.
“No peace- loving citizen needs or deserves a Wild, Wild West environment,” he said.
During a thanksgiving party in Davao on Saturday, Duterte urged the three generals based at Camp Crame to resign. Lacson said the generals should be allowed to defend themselves against any allegation.
“If the information is baseless, unverified or not validated, it would be unfair not to give them a chance to defend themselves,” he said, noting he was himself a victim of trial by publicity.
The returning senator said private citizens should be encouraged instead to report to authorities the presence of major drug lords and traffickers in their communities.
“That is where the incentive of monetary reward should come into play,” Lacson said as he outlined the process of verifying the list of drug suspects and other criminal syndicates.
“The process entails a series of exchanges of information among the different intelligence agencies.”
After this, the drug suspects are placed in the Order of Battle (OB) of the authorities.
“The OB is a classified document and declassifying it follows a defined procedure and timeline. The public has no direct or indirect access to it,” he said.
About a decade ago, Lacson was accused of having links with the illegal drug trade by former anti- narcotics agent Mary Ong alias “Rosebud” and alleged informer Ador Mawanay.
He had denied the allegation, which became the subject of a Senate inquiry and turned out to be not supported by evidence.
PNP won’t dare Rody
The PNP won’t officially dare Duterte to name the generals, as it would be improper for them to do so, being his subordinates.
“The PNP is under him. Let’s just give him the chance to implement his programs,” PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor told The STAR.
Mayor earlier said they sent anti-drug counterintelligence agents to dig into the alleged involvement of some PNP generals in the drug trade.
He said what they had gathered so far was raw and unverified information.
PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez said no evidence to validate the accusation has been collected yet.
“We deployed special teams from the AIDG (Anti-Illegal Drug Group) to the Visayas. But up to now, the work is in progress. No evidence has been gathered to support the information on the three active generals,” Marquez said.
Mayor urged the public to give Duterte a chance to implement his programs in getting rid of the illegal drug trade.
He said Duterte would have the chance to audit the PNP’s intelligence funds and how it is used once he assumes the presidency.
“He will be our president in the next few days, he will have all the power and prerogative to direct all the anti-crime efforts,” Mayor said.
Free legal assistance
The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill providing free legal assistance to police officers or soldiers who face charges in connection with their job.
Camarines Sur Rep. Felix William Fuentebella, author of the bill, said the measure aims to help police or military personnel facing administrative or criminal case arising from an event related to official duty.
The bill requires the chiefs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, PNP and National Police Commission (Napolcom) to authorize any lawyer, with the assistance of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO,) to provide free legal assistance to any AFP and PNP personnel within 24 hours after the charges are filed.
Expenses for the provision of such assistance will be charged to these agencies’ budgets.
The Department of Justice, in coordination with the AFP, PNP, Napolcom and PAO, will issue the implementing rules and regulations once the bill is signed into law.