MALACANANG yesterday said the release of a report from the Department of Justice that could help build up cases on some 52 drug war-related deaths is proof that President Duterte and his administration is not “soft” on police officers who could have violated human rights.
“The decision of DOJ proves that we are not soft because the (cops involved in the) 52 (cases) will be charged),” Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.
He said the DOJ had referred the 52 cases to the National Bureau of Investigations for case build-up to ensure that enough evidence would be gathered to support the possible charges against 154 policemen involved in the killings.
He said if cases would be filed, it should be solid and supported by concrete evidence.
Last Wednesday, a matrix released by the DOJ on the 52 incidents of drug war operations that resulted in the killing of drug suspects shattered police “nanlaban” narratives as it showed multiple lapses in procedures on the part of the cops and excessive use of force in some of the incidents.
The Philippines has come under pressure from the United Nations to investigate allegations of systematic murders of drug suspects, and the International Criminal Court recently announced it would investigate President Duterte’s bloody campaign.
On the heels of the DOJ report, Duterte, during the NTF-Elcac region 4A meeting in Quezon, maintained his stance that he will kill those who destroy the country and the youth.
He also said that presidential aspirant Sen. Bato dela Rosa was nervous after he was dragged in the ICC complaint but added that he assured Bato that he will assume responsibility. He also reiterated that he will only face a Filipino court with a Filipino judge.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the DOJ review is “crucial” to let the international community know that the country’s justice system is working well.
“The role of the DOJ is crucial in showing the community of nations in general, and the International Criminal Court in particular, that as a civilized, democratic country, we can independently and responsibly hold criminally accountable our law enforcement officers–and their superiors, if the evidence so warrants–when they commit excesses in the performance of their sworn duties,” Lacson said.
In its report, the DOJ said that in several cases, police agents reportedly acted in self-defense after the suspects violently resisted arrest. But the DOJ found that many of the victims tested negative for gunpowder nitrates.
The DOJ also discovered that in several cases, there were no ballistics or paraffin test results, Scene of Crime Operations (SOCO) reports, or autopsy reports on record.
Lacson said: “In the pursuit of any criminal investigation, there is only one rule that applies. It is called the rule on evidence which should be bound by the rule of law. There is no other course for the Department of Justice to pursue but to take those cases to their logical conclusion, no matter the consequences.” — With Raymond Africa
