Palace warns persons involved in illegal drugs not to resist arrest

January 6, 2019

Individuals involved or engaged in illegal drugs will suffer the same fate met by the  former mayor in a narco list when he resisted arrest the Palace said on Sunday.

Citing the recent killing of former mayor of Parang, Maguindanao, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said: "Regardless of the 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 authorities are allowed to shoot persons who try to endanger their lives during an official operation or apprehension. 

  "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 said.

The presidential spokesperson said illegal drugs have caused crimes against people and properties, and created dysfunctional families. Panelo, however, denued instituting unlawful killings that are related to illegal drugs.

  He said people behind unjustifiable killings amidst President Rodrigo Duterte's drug war will be held responsible.

"The state has not initiated and will never initiate drug-related killings outside the ambit of the law," he said. 

  "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," he added. 

  Panelo said the president's anti-drug campaign will continue until the end of Duterte's term.

"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 added. Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS