Ateneo dean welcomes PNP response to their study on Duterte drug war

The dean of the Ateneo School of Government (ASoG) on Tuesday welcomed the response of Philippine National Police (PNP) to their study on the Duterte administration's war on drugs.

In an interview with reporters, ASoG Dean Ronald Mendoza said he was happy about the statement of the PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde that they were open to suggestions from other sectors about anti-drugs campaign following the release of the study.

"Ako ay natutuwa sa kanilang response na maaaring hindi sila sang-ayon doon sa total number, pero sinabi rin nila na ang kanilang role ay para ipagtanggol ang human rights ng ating mga kababayan at tumatanggap sila ng criticism at tumatanggap sila ng advice for better strategy, better policy," Mendoza said.

According to ASoG's study, more than 7,000 drug-related killings have occurred since President Rodrigo Duterte took office in 2016 until the end of 2018.

Albayalde welcomed the results of the study, even though it is contrary to their own records, and said they are willing to listen and engage other sectors to assist them in their campaign against illegal drugs.

Mendoza believes that the police have good intentions in their fight against the drug menace, except that the policies and strategies they espouse are problematic

"Kung yung mabubuting tao ay ilalagay mo sa masamang polisiya, magkakamali at magkakamali sila," he said.

"Kung ganyan ang polisiya natin, talaga namang mapapadiin ang ating kapulisan at hindi naman ito talaga parehas sa kanila. Hindi nila kasalanan, or at least yung marami sa kanila, na maling policy yung kanilang itinutulak," he added.

Like the PNP, Mendoza said they are willing to accept criticism to heir study. But he maintained that they are transparent in their methodology and they were scientific in their approach.

"Ang aming advocacy ay sana ganun din sila, transparent sa kanilang datos, ilahad nila lahat ng impormasyon dahil tutulong lang naman tayo kaya naman tayo hinihingi ang information na yun," Mendoza said.

"Mag-offer na kami ng tulong at tumutulong kami sa ating kapulisan. At sila naman ay tumatanggap. Napaka-humble naman ng ating mga pinuno diyan, nakikinig naman sila at yan naman ay nakikita natin na magandang senyales," he added. — MDM, GMA News