Panelo says gov’t open to any inquiry on teen deaths

Presidential chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo. (File photo by VINCE F. NONATO / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

The Duterte administration welcomes the Senate resolution that warrants the conduct of an investigation into the killings of minors in the government’s anti-crime operations particularly war on drugs, Presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo said Wednesday.

“Okay yun. Lagi kaming open doon (That’s OK. We are always open to that),” he said in a press briefing in Quezon City.

READ: Poe seeks Senate probe into ‘gruesome’ deaths of teens

Apparent “meddling” by other nations in the country’s affairs is what President Rodrigo Duterte does not want.

“Yung mga nakikialam sa atin na galing ibang bansa pero hindi naman alam ang nangyayari (Those from other countries who interfere with our affairs without even knowing the real issue),” Panelo said referring to foreign representatives who are active in condemning the killings in the government’s war on drugs.

While there could be abuse committed by some police officers, Panelo claimed that what is important was the President’s action not to tolerate their actions and even sacked these erring policemen.

Sixteen of the 23 senators have called on the government to put a stop on the spate of killings, especially those involving minors.

Resolution 515 was filed on Monday calling on the President to make the necessary steps to stop the “senseless” killings.

The deaths of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos, 14-year old Reynaldo de Guzman and 19-year-old Carl Angelo Arnaiz from war on drugs caused public outcry recently. /jpv