Duterte's 'kill' order covered by Int'l Human Rights Law, says Roque

President Rodrigo Duterte's order for security forces to kill when their lives are placed in danger is in accord with International Human Rights Law, his spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said on Thursday.

In a press briefing, Roque said state agents' lives should be in danger when they respond with deadly force or they would face charges.

"Iyan nga po iyong sinasabi na sa larangan ng International Human Rights Law. Hindi naman bawal sa parte ng mga alagad ng batas na gumamit ng puwersa basta mayroong necessity at mayroong proportionality," Roque said.

[This is in accordance with the International Human Rights Law. It's not prohibited on the part of law enforcers to use force as long as there is necessity and proportionality.]

The Department of Justice is investigating on the deaths of nine activists who were killed in police operations in Calabarzon on March 7.

The incident has appalled the United Nations Human Rights Council and caused concern for the European Union delegation in the country.

The left-leaning activists were killed just two days after Duterte called on police and the military to kill armed communists. -NB, GMA News