Malacanang on Monday described as premature the accusation
of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) that the government is involved
in extrajudicial killings, prompting the rebels to withdraw its support to war
against illegal drugs.
”Inhumane? E parang they are already concluding that there
is being extrajudicial salvaging,” Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador
Panelo said in a media interview.
Last Sunday, the CPP released a statement withdrawing its
support for the intensified drive against illegal drugs by the administration
of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
“Police officials have brazenly carried out summary killings
against suspected drug peddlers and users. Hundreds have been killed while
‘resisting arrest’ or while under custody and detention, in police cars as well
as in jails,” the communist group said in statement.
”That statement would be premature because there is not at
this time, any investigation showing that there has been extrajudicial
killings,” Panelo replied.
He added: “As far as we are concerned, the killings are
being made by drug pushers themselves, killing each other.”
According to the reports, more than 500 drug pushers and
users were already killed amid the aggressive anti-illegal drug campaign of the
Duterte administration.
Panelo said the government war against drug menace should be
part of the discussion in the scheduled peace talks between the Philippine
government and the communist group on Aug. 20-27 in Oslo , Norway
”That is why there will be talks. That should be part of the
discussion,” he said.
The Senate Committee on Justice chaired by neophyte Senator
Leila de Lima is set to conducted investigation on alleged extrajudicial
killings, urging President Duterte to monitor the inquiry.
Panelo said there is no need for De Lima to invite the
President do watch the Senate public hearings set to start next week.
”The President watches television. He doesn’t have to be
invited to watch,” Panelo reacted to De Lima’s open letter asking the President
to watch the Senate probe.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=914004
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