Drug suspects, not cops, should die in encounters
IN COPS’ DEFENSE
LINGAYEN— Amid growing public skepticism of police claims of defensive actions in justifying the deaths of drug personalities during buy-bust and legitimate operations, Second District Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil, a retired police general, spoke in defense of the policemen.
“Policemen should be able to defend themselves when they are in difficult situations as they observe the rules and proper implementation of police operational procedures,” said Cong. Bataoil.
“If the suspect poses danger to law enforcers, they have to maim or incapacitate the suspect but not to kill him/her,” the congressman said.
Where it poses danger to our boys (policemen), I prefer our boys to be alive rather than the suspect,” he added.
But he said they must be able to defend their actions in case a complaint is lodged against them.
He said most drug suspects are armed and dangerous.
On the question whether he supports calls for congress investigation of the reported increasing number of drug suspects being killed, he said it’s up to the speaker of the House of Representatives if an investigation in aid of legislation on alleged extra-judicial killings would be made.
“Personally, let the agencies concerned do their job first before Congress steps in,” Bataoil said, adding that the PNP has its Internal Affairs Service that would investigate complaints against alleged illegal acts of certain policemen. (Tita Roces)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
