Pimentel to PNP: Conduct ‘all-out war against drugs in accordance with law’

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III reminded authorities involved in the government’s war against illegal drugs to conduct its operations “in accordance with law.”

Pimentel recognized that the decision as to who would lead the war on drugs was the prerogative of President Rodrigo Duterte, who earlier announced his plan to return to the police the fight against illegal drugs.

“That’s the President’s call / prerogative. This is his administration and its declared priority is the all-out war against drugs (among others). Let him pursue that in accordance with his own strategy,” the Senate leader said on Friday.

“I just remind all concerned and all involved to conduct the all-out war against drugs in accordance with law,” Pimentel added.

Duterte and Pimentel are chairman and president of the ruling PDP-Laban, respectively.

Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito, in a separate text message to reporters, also reminded the Philippine National Police (PNP) not to use Duterte’s “words of strong support”  on  the drug  war as a “license to go on a killing spree.”

“If drug war operations will be returned to PNP, (I) would like to remind them that the words of strong support by the President is not a license for them to go on a killing spree,” Ejercito said.

“PNP should not let the few rotten eggs destroy the reputation of the whole organization. Protection and respect for human rights should be upheld at all times,” he added.  /kga