Palace to Kiko: Associating drug war to Batocabe’s death ‘grossly irresponsible, unfair’

Malacañang on Monday accused opposition Senator Francis Pangilinan of using the death of Ako Bicol Representative Rodel Batocabe as an excuse to gain political mileage and criticize the government’s war on drugs which has killed thousands since 2016.

Pangilinan, in a statement on Sunday, raised the question as to who will be next in the “growing list of daily killings” as he demanded justice for Batocabe’s death.

“The daily killings was touted by the Duterte administration as the solution to our country's ills, that the more killed in the drug war, the better. For every kill, reward money was given by the government. Impunity and police abuse became the order of business,” the senator said.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo took exception to Pangilinan’s claims, saying the political opposition “is running out of issues to the point that its members are running berserk” in their accusation against President Rodrigo Duterte.

“The remarks of Senator Pangilinan not only are intellectually challenged but infinitely reckless as well. Obviously, it is an attempt at gaining political mileage to boost the chances of its senatorial candidates,” Panelo said.

“Using the death of [Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe] for such purpose however is a blatant disrespect to his memory.”

Panelo maintained that the government  condemned the “brazen and senseless killing” of Batocabe who, along with his police escort, was shot to death last Saturday as the lawmaker was about to board his vehicle after a gift-giving event in Daraga, Albay.

“To associate his death to the current government’s campaign against illegal drugs is grossly irresponsible and utterly unfair,” Panelo said.

“The President considers such kind of heinous crime belonging to the leading class which he desires to eliminate. It is the opposition which seeks to cushion the full force of the law against the perpetrators by speaking against the President’s relentless drive to end the drug menace instead of supporting it.”

Panelo also reiterated the “daily killings” that Pangilinan linked to the drug war were not state-sanctioned and that Duterte does not and will never condone extrajudicial killings.

The Palace official said legitimate operations must follow protocols and authorities have the right to protect themselves from suspects who resist arrest and put up a violent fight that endanger their lives.

He also pointed to the conviction of three Caloocan cops in the killing of teenage student Kian delos Santos as an example of ensuring accountability for those who abuse authority.

“The President will not be sidetracked in his constitutional duty to protect the people by the nasty comments of the opposition stalwarts who should know better,” Panelo said. —KG, GMA News