Drug war sees no social, political status: Palace

Panelo, meanwhile, said the President’s crackdown on illegal drugs will continue, pursuant to his constitutional authority to serve and protect the people. (File Photo: Office of the Presidential Spokesperson/Facebook)

MANILA — Malacañang said the death of a former mayor included on President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s “narcolist” shows that the same fate befalls everyone involved in the drug war, regardless of social or political status.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made this remark after former mayor of Parang, Maguindanao Talib Abo Sr., and his brother, Disumimba “Bobby” Abo, were shot dead on Friday for allegedly resisting arrest by policemen.

Reports showed that the former mayor opened fire at policemen, who went to his home with a search warrant.

“Regardless of the social and political status of persons involved and /or engaged in the illegal drug industry, the same fate will necessarily befall them if they resist arrest and shoot it out with the arresting officers,” Panelo said in a statement on Sunday.

“The law allows lawmen to use mortal violence against those who imperil their lives in the course of a legitimate police operation or arrest,” he added.

Panelo reiterated that there will be no sacred cows under the Duterte administration and that those who disobey or violate the law will pay the price for their crimes or transgressions.

“The President will employ any means, unconventional or not but constitutionally allowed, to enforce the law. The President shall fulfill his constitutional mandate until the end of his term,” Panelo said.

Panelo, meanwhile, said the President’s crackdown on illegal drugs will continue, pursuant to his constitutional authority to serve and protect the people.

He, however, clarified that the state has not initiated and will never initiate drug-related killings outside the ambit of the law.

“The government will pursue to the ends of the earth those who kill without justifying and exempting circumstances as provided by law until they are put behind bars,” Panelo said.