Poe: We need justice, not violence

Senator Grace Poe. ARNOLD ALMACEN / INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

PRESIDENTIAL candidate Grace Poe took a shot at rival Rodrigo Duterte’s plan to use extrajudicial means to solve crime and the drug problem, maintaining that killing was not the only solution.

Poe made the remarks at a campaign rally at the  Gateway Convention Surigao City in northern Mindanao where the Davao City mayor enjoys strong support.

She promised to address crime and drug problems immediately if elected president, but without a specific time limit like the six-month deadline promised by Duterte and without the bloodbath hinted at by her rival.

“It will be addressed fairly and justly. What we need is justice not violence because we should not take vengeance in our hands solely on mere accusations,” she said.

“Killing is not the only solution. We will not wait too long (in meeting our goals of a crime- and drug-free society). What we need to do is be organized, we need to have justice,” said Poe who has ramped up her anticrime rhetoric as Duterte’s iron-fist policy has captured the imagination of voters.

Poe warned that innocent lives could be lost if Duterte would have his way. “If we make a mistake in our decisions and it affects an innocent person, our problems will not end,” she said.

She said people may doubt her ability to fight crime and drug criminal syndicates because she is a woman.

“But women are inherently strong. We’re just not boastful. We’re just not impulsive. I’m sorry, men, but I’m not saying all men are. I’m just saying mostly women are very patient, they have good organization skills, and an ability to unite,” she said.

Poe said she would appoint “a credible, effective and an incorruptible PNP chief” and take a proactive approach in dealing with abusive members of the police force.