Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat on Tuesday lashed out at Solicitor General Jose Calida for promising to protect policemen from investigations into the killings of suspected criminals.
In a text statement, Baguilat said the government would contradict its freedom of information policy if it prohibits the police from participating in any congressional probe on alleged excesses in the operation to kill suspected criminals and drug pushers.
“Akala ko ba age of transparency tayo with freedom of information executive order? They’re contradicting their own policy of transparency. We just want to find out if proper police protocols were followed in these operations,” Baguilat said.
Baguilat made the reaction to the statement by Calida, who vowed to protect the police from investigations into the spate of extrajudicial killings and the slaying of criminals during legitimate police operations.
READ: SolGen Calida vows to protect cops amid spate of drug suspect deaths
“I am here to encourage the Philippine National Police not to be afraid of any congressional or Senate investigations. We will defend them,” Calida said at a press conference in Camp Crame on Monday.
Baguilat filed House Resolution No. 61 urging the chamber to investigate the increasing number of summary executions under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
READ: Look into extrajudicial killings under Duterte, Congress pressed
Baguilat lamented Calida’s move to prevent the police from participating in any probe, noting that past administrations did not prevent the police from attending congressional hearings.
He also criticized Calida for the latter’s tirades against Sen. Leila de Lima accusing her of pushing for an investigation not for legislation but for media mileage.
READ: De Lima calls for inquiry into spate of drug killings
“Kaya nga kung tutuusin, baka si SolGen ang media mileage. Salita nang salita pero hindi naman bukas na pag-aralan ang iba pang paraan para palakasin ang kaso nila laban sa drug lords, generals, big fish. Baka mag-fail sila sa prosecution kasi nauubos ang witnesses. That, and of course he has no right to tell Congress not to do its mandate,” Baguilat said.
The Ifugao representative said he would not withdraw his resolution. “I will not withdraw it. Marami sa mga napatay ay extrajudicial killings. Ibig sabihin no legitimate police operation. Just murder. Ano ang ginagawa ng kapulisan dito? Kakatakot na kahit sino pwede ipapatay at sabihin na drug pusher. And since wala namang nahuhuli, lalaganap ang extrajudicial killings,” he said.
READ: Duterte may invoke executive privilege to protect cops from probe–solon
He said the killings eliminated only those at the bottom of the chain—those from the ranks of the poor—and not the drug lords at the top of the illicit trade.
“Karamihan na pinapatay ay drug pusher. Pinakamababang sundalo sa drug trade. Mga mahihirap at maliliit na tao. Pero meron sa itaas nila na drug dealer tapos drug lord tapos baka drug protector. Hindi ba’t maraming bintang ngayon na mga heneral at mayors ang kasangkot daw?” Baguilat said.
He said the killings might eliminate pushers who could help the government and police in pinpointing government and police officials who are coddlers of drug personalities.
READ: The Kill List
“We might be eliminating the possible informants who can give stronger evidence laban sa mga police protectors. Ironically, the antidrug campaign could be abetting a whitewash dahil kapag merong heneral na kasangkot, imposible na walang colonel o tinyente,” Baguilat said.
According to the latest tally of Inquirer.net’s “The Kill List” as of July 11, 12 noon, 136 suspected criminals have been killed since Duterte assumed presidency on June 30. Ma. Czarina A. Fernandez/rga
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