Duterte Promises to Give Pardon to Convicted Police Officers on the Drug War

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday promised to pardon police officers who would be convicted in the performance of their duties, more than a week after several Leyte cops surrendered over the death of a former town mayor while in government custody.

In his speech on Wednesday in Socorro, Oriental Mindoro, the president said that the policemen charged with killing drug suspects could just plead guilty and he will provide an absolute pardon right after. 

“This is my order. Hunt for them. Arrest them if possible. If they confront you with a violent stance, especially if they’re armed and you are in danger of being killed — My God, shoot the idiot, and shoot him dead. 'Yan ang order ko,” he said. “Pag 'yan ang sinunod ng pulis and military, huwag kayong matakot. I and I alone will be liable for that.”

Last week, 19 police officers surrendered after a warrant of arrest was issued against them for the suspected killing of former Albuera, Leyte Mayor, Rolando Espinosa Sr. The team of Superintendent Marvin Marcos was ordered to be arrested after the National Bureau of Investigation probe finds that the death of the mayor was planned. The senate also investigated the death of Espinosa and reached a similar conclusion.

However, Duterte refuses to believe the findings.In one of his statements he said, "Sino paniwalaan ko? Yung witnesses na mga preso o mga pulis ko? Oh, di yung pulis ko." 

(Who am I going to believe with? The witnesses who are prisoners or my police officers? Of course it will be my men.)

He further added, "Kung ano ang sinabi ng pulis, 'yun ang totoo sa akin...Hindi ko pababayaan ang pulis. Kasi sabihin, ako ang may utos eh." 

(Whatever the police says, that I believe is true. I won't abandon them. It might be said that I gave the order.)

Some senators are not pleased with the president's statement. Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV said Mr. Duterte’s attempt to clear the policemen led by Supt. Marvin Marcos was “another proof” that the killings in the President’s brutal war on drugs were state-sponsored.

"With his promise, it seems that there are individuals and groups who are above the law," Senator Bam Aquino stated on his press release. (Senate Press Release)

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, chair of the committee on public order and dangerous drugs that investigated Espinosa’s murder, said on Thursday that he disagreed with Mr. Duterte. In his statement,  he said 

 “Announcing [that he would pardon Marcos and his men] to all and sundry and prematurely at that, because it sends a very wrong message to law enforcement people. That could give them the impression of a blanket authority to murder illegal drug suspects and, worse, from somebody who has actually the legal authority to grant."

The president also hinted that his war on drugs would continue as long as drug lords and dealers continue destroying the nation’s youth.