Deaths of suspects in police ops justifiable – Duterte

DAVAO CITY — The deaths of suspects and bystanders during police operations are justifiable, President Rodrigo Duterte says, but not when these are perpetrated by criminals.

“You know, when the police, in the performance of the duty … [the deaths] that are intended and unintended, that’s justified. But if a criminal shoots a policeman, if he puts up a fight, it would be his responsibility,” the President told reporters during his arrival here from Singapore on Sunday.

“If his (felon’s) bullet hits five people, the accountability is all his, because [he’s] a criminal. It only favors military men or law enforcement [officers] if [these shootings] are in the performance of duty.”

He said policemen who killed bystanders should not answer questions themselves. “My advice is, you just consult a lawyer,” he said. —Allan Nawal