Naming generals akin to killing them—running priest

LUCENA CITY, Philippines—President Duterte practically “killed” five police generals when he publicly named them as protectors of drug syndicates without any investigation, an activist Catholic priest said on Saturday.

“While the almost daily killings of suspected drug pushers happen without due process, the naming of the five PNP (Philippine National Police)  generals as drug protectors was likewise a killing of sorts,”  Fr. Robert Reyes, known as the running priest,  said in a statement.

Duterte last week named former National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Joel Pagdilao,  Supt. Bernardo Diaz of Police Regional Office 6 and former Quezon City Police District (QCPD) chief Edgardo Tinio as alleged coddlers of drug syndicates. Retired police officers Deputy Director Gen. Marcelo Garbo Jr. and Chief Supt. Vicente Loot were also named.

All have denied the allegation, except for Garbo, who has so far been silent. The three active officers have also voluntarily appeared for investigation. Loot, now mayor of Daanbantayan in Cebu, has said he was not hiding anything and was willing to be investigated in a civilian court.

“What if some of the five are proven innocent? Will they be able to recover their lost reputation and good name? The killing and taking of lives is final and irreversible,” Reyes said. “Couldn’t we say the same about the killing of the dignity of those accused without trial and conviction?”

Reyes likewise called on the Duterte administration to immediately put an end to the summary execution and public humiliation of suspected drug traffickers. Police have so far confirmed killing at least 103 suspects as they stepped up the war on drugs.

“All killings must stop whether of life or reputation or dignity,” Reyes said.

Malacañang has refused to disclose the evidence against the generals, saying it may affect the outcome of the investigation.

But Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Saturday said the five may be placed in the immigration lookout bulletin order so any travel may be monitored.

“These police generals will be placed under immigration lookout because President Duterte mentioned their names as being behind illegal drugs,” Aguirre told the Inquirer. The five will not be barred from leaving the country, but immigration officials will monitor their movements.

He said a decision was to be made on Monday.

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