MANILA – Interior secretary Eduardo Año assured the public Friday that the police and military conducting checkpoints will follow the rules of engagement amid the order of President Rodrigo Duterte for them to kill those who will violently resist inspections.
“Ang ibig sabihin n’un kapag may armed group na na-checkpoint at sumuway at kahit sila ay politician at nagtangka silang lumaban dun sa mga nagche-checkpoint at hindi sumunod, the PNP (Philippine National Police) can apply the rules of engagement,” Año said during a press conference.
Duterte issued the directive Wednesday evening following his visit to the wake of Ako Bicol party-list representative Rodel Batocabe, who was shot to death by unidentified men last Saturday in Daraga, Albay.
“I am placing the entire Armed Forces na assigned dito and the police to maintain law and order. Magdala ka ng baril, magdaan ka ng checkpoint at sabihin mo, hindi ako papara kay governor ako, mayor ako. Ang utos ko sa police pati military, p— ina, patayin mo,” he told reporters.
“Gawain mo lang rin inutil ‘yung mga sundalo ko, pati police ko, ayaw ninyo magpaniwala, may checkpoint, hindi kayo magpara kasi governor ka or mayor ka, p—ina. Ang utos ko, totoo ‘yan. ‘Pag ayaw huminto, makipag-away sa inyo, barilin mo. Iyan lang, simple ‘yan,” he added.
But in his press conference, Año said the President’s order does not mean the police and military will automatically fire their guns.
“Kapag lumabas ang armas tutukan mo, pag nagpaputok, paputukan mo. But it doesn’t mean na automatic putukan mo na agad,” he said.
He said government personnel should always take into consideration the standard operating procedures when the President makes statements or orders.
“Kapag nagbigay ng statement ang Presidente, iuugnay mo ‘yan dun sa how to do it properly so ganun lang ‘yan,” he said.
Año expressed confidence that there will be no human rights violations if the military and police will follow the procedures. He added they will not tolerate those who will violate the rule of law.
“Kapag sinunod mo ‘yung rule of engagement wala talagang human rights violation. Kapag nag-shortcut ka there is a violation, we will not tolerate anyone who do not follow the rule of law,” he said. (GMA News)
