Aquino reminds Duterte of state obligation to protect society amid bloody war vs drugs

August 21, 2017

Former President Benigno Aquino III reminded on Monday the Duterte administration that the state has the obligation to protect its people amid alleged extrajudicial killings allegedly involving the policemen.

In an interview with reporters at the Manila Memorial Park in Paranaque City, Aquino said it was clear murder or homicide were committed in the series of anti-drug operations conducted by the members of the Philippine National Police last week.

He explained that since there is no death penalty, "there's no judicial killing.

"If there's no judicial killing, there should be no extrajudicial killing. Here it's very clear, there's murder, there's homicide. What is important, somebody was killed, someone killed him. Look for the killer, let him suffer the necessary punishment," he explained.

Aquino said he did not have evidence to prove that the death of huge number of people allegedly involved in illegal drugs in less than a week last week was state sponsored.

But he stressed, "there is a state obligation to protect all the people. All those who committed wrongdoings should be pursued."

Over 90 people were killed in the intensified anti-drug operations last week in Bulacan province, Manila and Caloocan.

Outrage is growing over the killings, particularly on the death of Kian Loyd delos Santos, a 17-year old student, in Caloocan City. Delos Santos was allegedly killed by policemen even if he was begging for his life, a news report quoting a witness, said.

Duterte, in a speech last week after the Bulacan anti-drug operations, resulting to death of 32 people, even lauded the policemen. He even said that he would be happy if more individuals allegedly involved in illegal drugs would be killed.

Aquino recalled during his presidency, he made sure all the processes would be followed.

"Especially in the security sector. There should be a difference from those violating the law, those outside the law, and those who are enforcing the law," he said.

"And if we're doing the same and there's no difference, there is something wrong on what has been happening," he added.

Asked what he felt when Duterte uttered expletives against him after his observation that apparently there was no improvement on Duterte's campaign against illegal drugs, Aquino said, 'that is his style."

He said he could not be "onion skinned," but he admitted that he did not feel good.

Aquino expressed hope Duterte would ponder on what he said and try to improve on his campaign against illegal drugs.

Duterte has called Aquino as foolish and stupid after the latter said that "nothing happened" in the administration's war against illegal drugs during the past year.

Aquino, the members of his family and other government officials and supporters visited the cemetery to commemorate the 34th death anniversary of late Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., a staunch critic of late president Ferdinand Marcos. The older Aquino was assassinated at the tarmac of the Manila International Airport upon his return from exile in the United States on August 21, 1983.

The former president expressed gratitude to Duterte's good message for his father.

Duterte has lauded Ninoy's work as a journalist and politician "to effect positive and meaningful changes in our society." Celerina Monte/DMS