“No truth,” — Palace Denies Former Pres. Duterte’s Accusation
PALACE – Malacañang denied the claim of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte that drug-related cases are allegedly on the rise again.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte appeared in the first hearing of the Senate over his administration’s war on drugs. His attendance really took public attention as he has repeatedly snubbed the hearings set by the House Quad Committee over his admin’s campaign.
Upon his arrival at the Senate, Duterte stressed in a chance interview that his war on drugs is to protect the people and his country. At the inquiry, he emphasized that he has really warned the public not to engage in the illegal substance as he wanted to clean the country from it.
The Senate hearing was led by the Blue Ribbon Committee. According to Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel who presided the hearing, there might be threee (3) hearings. He previously expressed that the inquiry will push through with or without the presence of Duterte as they have invited several resource persons.
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has also invited former Sen. Leila de Lima, a staunch critic of the war on drugs of the Duterte administration and a human rights activist. There are also former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief in Davao City invited at the hearing.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte claimed “full legal responsibility” over his administration’s war on drugs. According to him, he alone should be punished as the police were only following his orders. At the Senate hearing, the former President also claimed that drug-related crimes are allegedly on the rise again.
Former Pres. Duterte also made a strong claim that a drug den was allegedly raided within the Malacañang Complex. The Palace denied the claim of the former Chief Executive.
“Just recently a drug den was raided within the Malacañang Complex. This clearly manifests that purveyors of this menace are back in business,” he said.
Based on a report on GMA News, the Palace said there is “no truth” to the claim of the former President that drug-related cases are rising again in the country. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin also stressed that “we have achieved stability and maintained peace and order in our country”.
“With due respect to former President Rodrigo Duterte, there is no truth to his statement that crime remains rampant in the country,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said.
Based on the report, the Philippine National Police (PNP) also debunked the claim of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. They highlighted their accomplishments as well and stressed that their priority is “public safety while ensuring that the dignity of every individual is respected and upheld”.