On Wednesday, December 23, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa claimed that no one is giving the command to the police force to kill whomever as he defended his stand that there is no cultural impunity within the Philippine National Police.
As a result, Kapamilya actor Enchong Dee attacked Dela Rosa for his statement.
On his Twitter account, Enchong threw a shade at the senator as he advised the politician to do fact-checking.
https://twitter.com/enchongdee777/status/1341597552748032000?s=21
However, despite Senator Bato trying to defend the PNP, President Rodrigo Duterte himself ordered of killing assailants or suspects resisting arrest even during the start of his term in 2016.
After winning the 2016 election, Duterte gave the security forces shoot to kill orders against those who will resist arrest. Although he was quick to compose himself, he still instilled in the police force that they have the power to kill. “I’m not saying you kill them but the order is ‘dead or alive,'” Duterte added.
During his national address in April at the height of COVID-19 and the imposition of quarantine protocols, Duterte ordered the police and the military to ‘shoot them dead’ those who will defy quarantine guidelines. He had done this due to the arising unrest from Filipinos who were running out of resources because of the pandemic.
“My orders to the police and military … if there is trouble or the situation arises where your life is on the line, shoot them dead,” announced Duterte. “Understand? Dead. I’ll send you to the grave. … Don’t test the government.”
For those who will be arrested because of violating the policies of the government for COVID-19, he stated that he’ll leave them to fend up for themselves.
“I will not hesitate my soldiers to shoot you,” Duterte said. “I will not hesitate to order the police to arrest and detain you. Now, if you are detained, I will leave it up to you to find food.”
In September 2020, President Duterte ordered Bureau of Customs chief Rey Leonardo Guerrero to “kill” those involved in illegal drugs.
“I want you to kill. I’ll back you up. You will not go to jail. If it’s about drugs, shoot them, kill them. That’s our deal,” said Duterte.
