Chiz on Duterte order to cops: A civilized society doesn't operate that way

"A civilized society does not operate that way. And I believe we are a civilized society."

This was the brief response of Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Tuesday when asked for comment on the admission of former President Rodrigo Duterte that he had instructed police officers to "encourage" criminals to fight back during drug operations so lawmen would have a reason to kill them.

Among the police officials whom Duterte said he gave the instructions to were former national police chiefs Archie Gamboa, Vicente Danao and Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, all of whom have served in Davao City, Duterte's bailiwick.

Duterte described these police officials as "commanders of death squad"—although he denied using the police to implement kill orders.

In the same hearing, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno said "neutralization" meant killing as provided under the Command Memorandum Circular 6, the governing document of the anti-drug campaign. The order was issued on July 1, 2016 by Dela Rosa, who was chief of the Philippine National Police at the time.

Diokno, who has questioned the legality of the war on drugs before the Supreme Court, said the term neutralization is not needed if the police did not intend to kill.

'Proud'

For Escudero, Duterte seems to feel pride about his actions regarding the bloody drug war during his presidency.

"I think he is proud of the things he did and said. Nakita niyo rin naman siguro kahapon 'yun. Hindi niya kinakahiya ang kanyang ginawa at mga sinabi. Maliwanag 'yun sa statement niya kahapon," Escudero said during the Kapihan sa Senado.

(I think he is proud of the things he did and said. I suppose you also saw that yesterday. He is not ashamed of what he did and said. This was clear from his statements yesterday.)

"Ang problema lamang, ang kauna-unahang probisyon sa Bill of Rights, nakalagay sa Article 3 Section I, 'No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law,'" he added.

(The problem is, the first provision under the Bill of Rights states, under Article 3 Section I, 'No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law.)

Escudero added that Duterte's revelations about his death squad should be tackled more during the next hearings. He said it would be up to concerned authorities if charges will be filed against the former president.

"Dapat siguro sa susunod na pagdinig ay matalakay pa 'yun..." the Senate leader said.

(That should be discussed in the next hearing.)

"Tila di naman siya nagtatago at natatakot sa pag-amin sa mga bagay na 'yan pero nasa kamay na ng mga awtoridad kung sapat na ang mga pag-amin na 'yun para sampahan siya ng kaso," Escudero added.

(He doesn't seem to be hiding or afraid of admitting those things, but it's now up to the authorities to assess if his admissions are enough for him to be charged in court.)

Further, he said Duterte's remarks in the hearing should not be treated as a joke as these were made under oath.

''Madalas sinasabi ng ilang mga nakapalibot kay dating Pangulong Duterte na biro lang 'yun, joke lang 'yun. Hindi marahil pwedeng sabihing biro pa kung ano mang pinanumpaang sinabi niya kahapon,'' Escudero said.

(Those who were close to the President would say that it's just a joke. However, this shouldn't be the case as those were sworn statements.) — VDV/RSJ, GMA Integrated News