Former solons happy with Sona but ask Duterte to address killings
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gestures as he delivers his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) before the joint session of the 17th Congress Monday, July 25, 2016, at suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines. AP FILE PHOTO
Two former party-list lawmakers have expressed support for President Rodrigo Duterte but believe he should discuss the issue of extrajudicial killings.
Former Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo said the rampant killings of suspected drug users and pushers should first be stopped.
READ: Duterte: No stopping war vs drugs
“Sinasabi sa ulat na divided ang mamamayan sa attitude nila rito sa mga pag-patay, sa extrajudicial killings ng mga suspected pushers and users. Ang tindig namin essentially ay hindi dapat magpatuloy ang ganiyan,” he told INQUIRER.net on the sidelines of State of the Nation Address (Sona) rally on Monday.
(Reports say that the people are divided on the extrajudicial killings of suspected pushers and users. Our stand is that it should not continue.)
“Nai-deliver na yung message, mayroon ng initial response yung thousands and thousands na sumusuko,” he added.
(The message has been delivered already and the initial response resulted in the surrender of thousands of people.)
However, Ocampo said the killings of suspects, who are usually poor people, should be stopped so that the government can assess the situation.
He said authorities should adjust their methods and avoid killing suspects in order to give them the chance to clear their names or change their ways.
Former Representative Teodoro “Teddy” Casiño, also from Bayan Muna, said that while they laud many of Duterte’s plans, there are still “contentious issues.”
READ: Militant lawmakers laud Duterte for ‘heartfelt’ Sona
“Yung usapin ng extrajudicial killings remain a grave concern para sa amin,” he said.
(The issue of extrajudicial killings remains a grave concern for us.)
He said they wanted to see what the President can do to stop the violations of due process and the violations of rules of engagement by the police and even vigilante groups.
“I hope the President will address that in subsequent speeches and subsequent actions,” Casiño said. RAM/rga
