QUEZON CITY, Aug. 11(PIA) — Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ismael “Mike” Sueno has strictly ordered Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to conduct immediate investigation on the killings of drug suspects in police operations and alleged vigilante-style killings of drug personalities.
Sueno said that while President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration has vowed to crush illegal drugs, he has denounced extrajudicial killing as a means to attain his goal.
“Hindi palalampasin ng administrasyon na ito ang mga vigilante na pamamaraan sa pagpatay ng mga taong suspek sa droga o ng mga kriminal at ang hindi makatarungang ?pagkamatay nila sa mga operasyon ng mga kapulisan,” Sec. Sueno said.
The DILG Secretary directed dela Rosa to remind all police personnel to observe the police operation procedures set forth under PNP Police Operational Procedures (POP) Manual in apprehending, conducting or effecting arrests, raids, searches, and seizures of evidences and personalities involved in the illegal drug and other criminal activities.
“Ang lahat ng mga naitalang vigilante na pamamaraan sa pagpatay ng mga taong suspek sa droga at iba pang mga kriminal at dapat agarang maimbistigahan,” Sec. Sueno ordered.
The PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS) is also ordered to conduct investigation of incidents wherein death or any violation of human rights occurred in the conduct of police operations pursuant to their mandate under Section 39 of Republic Act (RA) 8551.
“Ang mga kapulisan na napatunayang sangkot sa mga hindi makatarungang pagpatay sa mga suspek sa droga ay dapat na mapatawan kaagad ng administrative disciplinary action,” Sueno stated.
Sec. Sueno also ordered Bato to submit an update report of the said investigation to the DILG through the Office of Undersecretary for Peace and Order which oversees the strict implementation of this mandate. (DILG)
