Palace tells families of slain Negros Oriental farmers: Duterte won’t allow police brutality

April 9, 2019

President Rodrigo Duterte would not allow police brutality following the death of 14 farmers in Negros Oriental during simultaneous operations last month, Malacanang said on Tuesday.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Palace is waiting for the official copy of the investigation by a team from the Philippine National Police ( PNP) headquarters.

"We assure the families of the fourteen farmers who died during the simultaneous police operations in Negros Oriental that President Duterte will not allow police brutality nor will he tolerate police abuse," he said.

Shortly after the incidents took place on March 30, PNP General Oscar Albayalde immediately said the 14 farmers died during legitimate police operations.

Albayalde said the slain peasants resisted arrest and fought operatives during implementation of search warrants.

But families of the farmers as well as militant organizations accused  policemen of murdering them. 

Panelo said families of slain farmers could file charges against involved policemen if they think they committed crimes.

"There is a presumption of regularity on the police action as the operations were backed by search warrants. The families, however, can always file criminal charges against the police officers, and they should if the circumstances warrant, as this is the proper and legal recourse available to them," he said. Celerina Monte/DMS