Malacañang is pleased with the successful police operations against illegal drugs but is concerned with the rising cases of vigilante killings in the country.
Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar asserted that they expect the Philippine National Police to conduct a swift probe on suspected summary executions of drug suspects.
“We consider the police operations as a success but those deaths involving gang wars, wherein they eliminate each other, of course that is a cause for concern. That doesn’t fall under the ambit of the law,” Andanar said in Filipino during a radio interview.
“The PNP has said all summary killings or deaths resulting from gang wars, these are under investigation,” he added.
The PNP recently reported that death toll of drug suspects has reached almost 3,000 since the Duterte administration started office more than two months ago.
Of the body count from July to September 10, 1,466 drug personalities were killed in police operations against the illegal drug trade. Another 1,490 drug-related deaths were under investigation.
Meanwhile, the September 2011 US terror attacks have opened a “Pandora’s box in terrorism” and the government would need all the help it can get to combat such threat, Malacañang said.
Government forces are doing their job to thwart security treats but still need the cooperation of the public in dealing with the “faceless enemy,” according to Andanar.
Andanar stressed the need for closer government-public cooperation as the world commemorates the 15th anniversary of 9/11 carried out by terrorists in the United States.
“This is a reminder that all of us are facing a faceless enemy – terrorists. We should all be one in battling this, we should all be helping each other,” Andanar said over government radio.
“This is not just the responsibility of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, this is also a responsibility of every Filipino,” he added.
As he steers the nation towards peace and prosperity, President Duterte has called on Filipinos to do their share of personal sacrifices for the greater good.
The President made the appeal in his message on the observance of Eid’l Adha, the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice, today.
“Let this celebration stand as a reminder that real change requires the sacrifice of our personal interest in favor of the common good of our citizens. Together, we can achieve progress, prosperity, and harmony for all,” the President said. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)
