Former Commission on Human Rights Chairwoman Loretta Ann Rosales. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
Former President Benigno Aquino III should have taken a forceful stand against the wave of killings in the dying days of his administration.
Former Commission on Human Rights Chair Loretta Rosales was concerned that Aquino had allowed the high number of casualties of alleged drug pushers and users even if he has not yet turned over his power to President Duterte for whom these actions were attributed.
“I wanted him [Aquino] to say ‘Stop that, I am still your president. Please be reminded that under my leadership, we do not commit these actions,” said Rosales who noted that the former President should have spoken at the first instance.
Rosales said that the President gave only a feeble statement on the killing wave by urging the police to hold on to democratic rights and uphold the law.
“President Duterte appeared to have violated all of these international human rights instruments a few weeks before his actual inauguration. The police were energized and started doing what they thought Duterte meant [in his speeches],” said Rosales.
Rosales explained that Aquino might have been reluctant to make a stronger statement because he was preparing to phase out of power.