Senator Panfilo Lacson. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
“At the rate our law enforcement agencies are going in their anti-drugs operations, a drug-free Philippines has now become a possibility,” Senator Panfilo Lacson said on Wednesday.
Lacson, former head of the Philippine National Police (PNP), issued the statement when sought to react on the six drug suspects killed during a police operation at a family compound of arrested Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr.
READ: 6 dead in anti-drug raid of Espinosa house in Leyte
The senator said the police “should be presumed to be performing their duties with regularity and should not be unduly accused of violating due process without basis.”
“What’s worrisome is the alarming number of vigilante killings, hence, I implore the PNP to conduct appropriate investigations in relation to these killings,” he said in a text message.
“Certainly, the more than 200 cases of salvaging and summary executions by vigilantes in a period of one month alone should alarm our citizenry.”
“Having said that, the police must show that they are not tolerating the vigilantes by building up evidence and charging the suspects in court,” Lacson added.
The Senate committee on justice headed by Senator Leila de Lima is set to investigate the spate of killings in the country. CDG
READ: De Lima asks Senate to probe drug slays
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