Año clarifies Duterte’s ‘kill’ order: Rule of engagement will be followed

The police and military will follow the rules of engagement in dealing with individuals who will refuse to submit to inspection at checkpoints, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año assured Friday.

Año made the remark in light of President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to the police and the military to kill people who would defy inspection at checkpoints.

READ: Duterte to cops, soldiers: Kill those defying checkpoints

“Ang ibig sabihin non, kapagka mayroong armed group na na-checkpoint at sumuway at kahit sila ay politician at nagtangka silang lumaban doon sa checkpoint eh di the PNP (Philippine National Police) can apply the rule of engagement,” Año said in a press conference.

(What it means is that if there are armed groups or politicians who will fight authorities at checkpoints, the PNP can apply the rule of engagement.)

“Kapag lumabas yung armas, tutukan mo, kapag pumutok, paputukan mo. But it doesn’t mean na paputukan mo na agad (If they brandish a firearm, point your gun. If they fire, return fire. But it does not mean that you’re going to fire right away),” he added.

Amid concerns that the President’s order will result in human rights violations, Año assures that no human right will be violated under the rule of engagement.

“Kapagka sinunod mo yung rule of engagement, wala talagang human rights human rights, kapag nagshortcut ka (if there is shortcut), there is a violation, we will not tolerate anyone who will not follow the rule of law,” he said.

The President made the directive to intensify checkpoints after he visited the wake of Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe, who was killed by gunmen last Saturday afternoon. /ee

READ: Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe, police escort killed in Albay