Amid Ongoing Duterte Drug War Issues, Malacañang Expresses Stand on PNP Target
Malacañang expressed its support on the plan of the Philippine National Police to reopen the probe on the deaths linked to the Duterte drug war.
From 2016 to 2022, one of the most popular campaigns of the Philippine government under the leadership of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is the war on drugs campaign. However, while it received praises from countless people, it is also surrounded by issues and it received all sorts of criticisms as well.
Even before he became president of the country, Duterte was already vocal about his anti-drugs campaign which he started in Davao City where he was mayor. Under his administration, the government worked hand-in-hand with the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the implementation of the drug war.
Then, the PNP was led by now Senator Bato dela Rosa who is also faced with accusations surrounding the drug war. Both Duterte and Dela Rosa were previously invited by the House for a hearing on the drug war but they declined to attend.
Amid the issues surrounding the anti-drugs campaign of the previous administration, Sen. Bato dela Rosa expressed a plan to launch a probe on the drug war and invite former Pres. Duterte as one of the resource persons. According to him, he is confident that the former President will attend the Senate investigation saying that he is more comfortable in the Senate than the House.
Recently, Malacañang also aired its side on issues related to the Duterte war on drugs. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the Palace expressed support on the plan of the PNP to reopen the investigation of the deaths linked to the Duterte administration’s campaign.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin told the Palace reporters that “the Marcos administration places the highest importance on the fair dispensation of justice and on the universal observance of the rule of law in the country”.
Based on the report, the PNP also said that it will form a committee to investigate the allegation that the anti-drugs campaign was implemented on a reward system. Sen. Bong Go previously denied the said allegation.
Sen. Bong Go also defended former Pres. Duterte saying that the former Chief Executive’s campaign received claps and “standing ovation”. He raised a question on why is the former President being blamed now.