MANILA — Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday reiterated that President Rodrigo Duterte would not tolerate any abuses by members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), following a news report criticizing anew the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.
Referring to a video attached to the news report, Roque said “authorities are now looking into” the matter, and are also in the process of “authenticating the video.”
“I assure you that the President will not tolerate any abuses that may be committed made by some personnel of the PNP,” he said.
The official added: “The Palace position is we do not tolerate police violence, brutality, or killing.”
He noted that the most recent pronouncement on this was the commitment made by President Duterte on the case of Carl Arnaiz and Kian delos Santos that he “will not tolerate murders being committed by the PNP.”
During the press conference, Roque also noted that the lead agency to implement the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs is still the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Earlier, he said that while President Duterte is “inclined to return” the management to the PNP, “he has not made up completely his mind.”
Asked what is stopping the chief executive from signing an executive order, Roque asked to allow the President absolute discretion on whether or not he would transfer it anew to the PNP and when he would do it.
“I will just reiterate that unless he issues the necessary written directive, it remains with the PDEA, and let’s leave it at that,” he said. (PNA)
