De Lima dares Duterte: Stop the killings or resign

Detained Senator Leila de Lima on Thursday dared anew President Rodrigo Duterte to order his security personnel to stop the killings amid the war against illegal drugs or quit his post.

"Amidst the killing spree of minors, I challenge the President once again to give a direct, categorical and public order to the entire police force, and others acting upon its direction, to STOP THE KILLINGS NOW!" De Lima said in a statement.

"Otherwise, I dare him to RESIGN NOW! To all those who are directly involved in, and those who sanction, these barbaric and satanic acts, may you all burn in hell," she added.

De Lima pointed out that in a civilized society, "states are supposed to protect the rights and welfare of the youth and keep them safe from harm, but under the Duterte regime, they are slaughtered like wild animals in a hunting game."

The recent killings of 17-year-old Kian Loyd delos Santos, 19-year-old Carl Angelo Arnaiz and 14-year-old Reynaldo de Guzman were gravely condemned by officials and citizens in the country.

Police said Delos Santos was shot after he allegedly engaged policemen in a shootout during an anti-drug operation in Caloocan City on August 16. Police claimed he was a drug runner.

Arnaiz, on the other hand, allegedly robbed a taxi driver and fired at the responding cops, but forensics report showed that he was tortured and shot at close range while either kneeling or lying down. De Guzman was the last person seen with Arnaiz on the night the teenager was killed.

Meanwhile, De Lima urged citizens to condemn the killings amid the government's anti-drug campaign.

"Sa aking mga kababayan — hinding hindi ho dapat tayo sumasang-ayon sa kasamaan. Ano na ho ba ang nangyayari sa ating bilang isang lahi mula nang naluklok sa pambansang kapangyarihan si Duterte," De Lima said.

"Enough with this madness! No more Kian, Gelo and Kulot need to die. Let us act now!" she added.

Duterte on Wednesday said he did not order his men to kill the young and the old and even the enemies mercilessly.

He also vowed to pursue cases against cops involved in unlawful killings. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News