Nothing to recalibrate over Duterte’s tone; it’s opposition that should be recalibrated – Palace

December 22, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte does not need to "recalibrate" his tone towards policemen and other law enforcers whom he has entrusted his bloody war on drugs following the shooting of a mother and her son by a cop in Panique, Tarlac.

In a televised press briefing on Tuesday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said if there is anyone who should recalibrate their tone, it should be the opposition.

"There is nothing to recalibrate because what the President has said was very clear. Perhaps those who should recalibrate are the opposition because they are like broken records," he said.

While the government has said that the incident involving Police Senior Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca, 46, was an isolated case, critics and human rights groups have said Duterte's strong backing of the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies, which have been implementing the administration's war on drugs, has encouraged some policemen to commit criminality.

Roque also debunked observation that more crimes have been committed in broad daylight in the country after Nuezca's killing of Sonya Gregorio and her son Frank Gregorio.

"I disagree that more crimes have been committed in broad daylight," he said, claiming that the crime statistics from the PNP and the National Bureau of Investigation have been going down, especially when most parts of the country were placed under lockdown.

He said that Duterte mentioned to protect only policemen who are doing the right thing and to penalize those committing illegal acts.

Roque also said Duterte told the law enforcers to use force only if there is imminent danger to their lives.

"Anything short of threat in their lives and yet they use force may be a crime," he said. Celerina Monte/DMS