‘Team Rub-out’? ‘Double Barrel’? What’s in a name?

Some senators have asked the Commission on Human Rights and the Philippine National Police to change the names of CHR’s investigating team called “Team Rub-out” and PNP’s operation plan “Double Barrel.”

During the hearing of the Senate committee of justice and human rights on alleged extrajudicial killings in the country on Monday, Senator Panfilo Lacson asked the CHR representatives to change the name of its “Team Rub-out,” saying it has a prejudgment against the police.

“Baka pwede nating palitan ang pangalan ng Team Rub-out? Parang may prejudgement eh (Perhaps we could change the name of Team Rub-out? It seems to have a prejudgement),” Lacson asked.

CHR National Capital Region Director Gilbert Boiser said they will consider changing the name.

The investigating team looks into incidents involving deaths in police operations where human rights violation is possibly committed.

The four-man team is led by Special Investigator Jun Nalangan, who is also present at the Senate inquiry.

Change ‘Double Barrel’

On the other hand, Senator Risa Hontiveros suggested that the PNP change the title of its anti-drug campaign “Double Barrel.”

Hontiveros said it gives a connotation that the anti-narcotics Oplan actually intends to cause injuries or deaths among drug personalities.

“Unfortunately pati ‘yung pagpili ng ongoing campaign ‘Double Barrel’ kasi parang ang premise, magkakaroon ng putukan at magkakaroon ng injury at deaths dahil sa barilan sa halip na ang PNP, ang supposed orientation sa law enforcement operation ay apprehension as much as possible without loss of lives,” the neophyte senator said.

(Unfortunately, I hope the ongoing campaign ‘Double Barrel’ could also be changed because the premise is there would be a shootout which would cause injury and deaths instead of the PNP, the supposed orientation of which is the law enforcement operation, giving apprehension as much as possible without loss of lives)

Likened to a model of a shotgun, Oplan Double Barrel, which was implemented under PNP chief Dir. Gen. Ronald “Bato” De la Rosa’s leadership, involves exposing the “upper barrel” to capture “high-value” and supply-side targets; and the “lower barrel” to eliminate “low-value” and demand-side targets./rga