Palace welcomes probe on Negros police operations
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Sat, 06 Apr 2019 07:06:25 +0000
Malacañang said yesterday that they welcome any probe on the police operations in Negros Oriental last week in which 14 persons were killed, insisting that it was done in accordance with the law.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the statement after different interest groups, including Karapatan and the Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura, have said that the deaths are the result of summary executions by State forces.
Panelo said that they find it unfortunate that there are groups using the incident in three towns in Negros Oriental to spark hatred towards the police.
“We find it unfortunate that Karapatan and other interest groups are using the incident in Negros Oriental to sow hate and spread fear towards our duly constituted authorities,” he said.
He also said that any probe on the incident is welcome but urged the people to not be swayed by Leftist propaganda against the government’s uniformed men.
“We welcome any investigation on the matter. In the meantime, we urge the public not to be swayed by Leftist propaganda, especially those stemming from groups linked with the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army, designed to stigmatize each and every operation of our law enforcers intended to protect the general welfare and safety of the Filipino people,” Panelo added.
The Palace official reiterated that what happened in Negros Oriental was legitimate police operations and was not a massacre.
“We reiterate that the incident in Negros Oriental arose from a legitimate police operation. Authorities were implementing search warrants that were duly issued by competent courts,” Panelo said.
“In separate police operations, 14 residents died when they fought with the law enforcers who were just implementing the search orders of the said local courts. As the Philippine National Police explained, this is not a case of massacre given the fact that those who surrendered without forceful resistance were lawfully apprehended unharmed following the discovery of illegal items pursuant to the court sanctioned search,” he added.
“In fact, a policeman was wounded which goes to show that there were indeed some who used violent resistance when authorities were conducting the search.” (Argyll Geducos)