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PNP to HRW: Show proof police behind EJKs
MANILA—The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday challenged the Human Rights Watch (HRW) to show proof on their claim that police are behind extra-judicial killings (EJKs).
”Kung talagang may ebidensya na magpapatunay na may maling ginawa ang aming miyembro, pasagutin po natin ‘yon. Hayaang makasuhan,” PNP Public Information Office (PIO) chief and spokesman Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos said in a press conference in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
”Let’s throw the book at these people if they committed a mistake,” Carlos said.
Carlos added that if the HRW can show such a proof, then file a case against the erring PNP member.
”If violators continue to violate RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), what are we going to do? We are mandated by law to stop them from violating,” Carlos said.
”Do not generalize from 24 cases of suspected EJKs. We have 48,000 people arrested alive. Ito ay resulta ng ating kampanya kontra droga (This is the result of our campaign against drugs),” he added.
On the HRW’s claim that police are committing crime against humanity, Carlos said, “What are they saying? Not all 7,000 deaths recorded by rights groups are drug-related.”
”In drug war, we don’t want 2,500 people killed in operations but Hindi namin ititigil yung mandato na magpatupad ng batas (we have to live to continue our mandate),” he added.
The PNP official also assured cooperation with other probe bodies.
”The chief PNP (Director General Ronald ‘Bato” Dela Rosa) said we are open. Other investigating bodies can do their investigation. Makikipagtulungan kami (We will cooperate),” Carlos said.
”Ang hinihiling lang po namin (What we are asking), be specific. Let’s look at each case kung ano ang tatayo at hindi natin sasabihin na (which will stand and we’ll not say that), at 24, this is now a crime against humanity,” he added.