MANILA — Malacañang on Tuesday urged a Catholic priest, who claimed about being targeted by the so-called Davao Death Squad, to file a writ of amparo before any court, instead of making public declarations about a threat to his life.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this remark after Father Armado Picardal, who has criticized Duterte’s drug war, went into hiding following reports that motorcycle-riding hit men have asked for his whereabouts.
“His remedy is to file a writ of amparo with the Supreme Court or any court. It can be filed even in the lower courts and it can be acted on expeditiously,” Roque said in a Palace briefing.
A writ of amparo can be filed when “any person whose right to life, liberty and security is violated or threatened with violation by an unlawful act or omission of a public official or employee, or of a private individual or entity.”
Roque, meanwhile urged the priest to use available legal remedies such as the writ of amparo if there is enough evidence to prove that there is a threat to his life.
“Father, tama na po yang pagdedeklara na may banta sa buhay mo. Gamitin niyo na po yung mga remedyong legal na naririyan. Writ of amparo po yan (Father, enough of your declarations about threats to your life. Use legal remedies that are there. It’s called writ of amparo),” Roque said.
“Mabibigyan kayo ng proteksyon kung talagang may ebidensiya na may banta sa buhay ninyo (You will be given protection if you have enough evidence that there is a threat to your life),” he added.
The so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS) is a group that supposedly killed suspected drug addicts, pushers, and other criminals during the term of President Rodrigo R. Duterte as Davao City mayor.
Picardal claimed that he has helped document alleged extrajudicial killings under Duterte’s campaign during his term as mayor of Davao City.
He also said he was willing to testify before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in relation to the extrajudicial killings.
The priest is most known for his cross-country biking to protest the crackdown on illegal drugs. (Azer Parrocha/PNA)
