Esperon backs Duterte’s ‘kill’ order vs Reds: Human rights? Think about defeating them

MANILA, Philippines — National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. on Tuesday expressed support to President Rodrigo Duterte’s “shoot-to-kill” order against armed communist rebels, saying defeating them should be the concern rather than upholding human rights.

“Sa talumpati ng ating Pangulo, nabanggit niya na ubusin na lahat ang NPA [New People’s Army] at ‘wag tayo mag-alala sa human rights. Tama naman ‘yon,” Esperon said in a televised briefing.

(In our President’s speech, he ordered to finish off all the NPAs and not worry about human rights. That’s correct.)

“Dahil armado ‘yang mga NPA na ‘yan, alangan naman ang iisipin mo pa ay human rights? Isipin na natin kung paano natin sila matalo,” he added.

(Since the NPA are armed, would you think of human rights? Let’s think of how to defeat them instead.)

In a meeting with the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict last Friday, Duterte ordered the police and military to kill communist rebels and not worry about human rights.

Malacañang justified Duterte’s directive, saying it is legal under the International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

“Lalo na ‘pag nakita natin silang may dalang armas, ano pa nga ba yon? Dahil kung hindi mo naman babarilin kaagad, ikaw naman ang mababaril,” Esperon said.

(If we see them carrying arms, then what? If you do not shoot them, they will shoot you.)

“Lalo na ang ating mga kababayan sa mga barangay kung saan may impluwensya pa itong NPA kaya dapat lang, in the name of peace, law and order ay binitawan na nga ni Pangulo ulit ang shoot-to-kill orders against the armed CPP-NPA,” he went on.

(Especially in towns where there is NPA influence, it’s just right that in the name of peace, law, and order, the President ordered shoot-to-kill orders against the armed CPP-NPA.)

JE