Sen. Leila de Lima. (File photo by MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Senator Leila de Lima on Tuesday dared President Rodrigo Duterte to order the entire police force to put an end to the killings in the name of his war against drugs.
Duterte, however, on Monday night assured the public that the police officers behind the killing of 17-year-old Kian Loyd delos Santos would go to jail if proven guilty.
READ: Duterte vows to punish cops in Kian killing if proven guilty
“I dare you, Mr. President to issue a clear and categorical order to the entire police force to STOP THE KILLINGS NOW,” De Lima said in her usual hand-written statement sent from her detention cell at the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame.
According to De Lima, her request is for Duterte to appease the outrage sparked by the killing of 17-year-old Kian Loyd delos Santos in a police operation in Caloocan City on August 16.
Delos Santos’ killing carried out by Caloocan policemen ignited condemnation and protest actions from different sectors. Duterte said he would order the involved policemen jailed if proven that the young victim was innocent.
“Any other way to try to appease the growing outrage sparked by the Kian killing and other recent incidents of summary execution under the mantle of the “One Time, Big Time” operations would be insufficient as it is hypocritical,” De Lima said.
“Just say it. Do it now, please,” she said.
Earlier, De Lima filed before the Supreme Court a legislative furlough so she could attend the Senate hearings in connection with the minor’s death as well as the recent spate of drug killings in the country.
The Senate committee on public order chaired by Senator Panfilo Lacson will start the Senate investigation on Thursday, Aug. 24, at 2 p.m., to get to the bottom of the killings in connection with the government’s implementation of war on drugs. JPV