Pangilinan: Did Duterte order shooting bad cops on sight?

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Thursday criticized President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent threat to “neutralize” policemen involved in illegal activities, claiming that killing is not a way to bring the Philippines closer to a first-world nation status.

Pangilinan also raised questions on the pronouncement of the president, who has been criticized for his tough stance against illegal drugs and criminals.

“What is this?… Is that an order to shoot these people (cops) on sight? Have them killed extra-judicially? Ito ba ang patakaran ngayon o eto ba yung ginagawa sa mga adik, gagawin na rin sa mga corrupt na policeman?” Pangilinan said in an interview over CNN Philippines.

“‘Yung araw-araw na patayan is not, for me, a solution towards bringing the country towards first-world nation status. There are better ways of doing it,” he added.

Duterte’s warning came after a policeman was killed while three others were arrested earlier in Taguig City for their alleged involvement in a kidnap-extortion incident.

“Huwag kayong pumasok diyan sa droga, ‘yang mga murder-for-hire, kasi ipa-project ko rin kayo,” Duterte said in a speech in Pasay City.

“You can be very sure there will be a project for you and really, that is to neutralize or terminate you,” the president added.