Duterte on Senate probe on killings: I do not blame De Lima

President Rodrigo Duterte said he does not have a problem with the impending Senate probe on drug-related killings, following a privilege speech by Senator Leila De Lima imploring him to take action on the matter.

In a speech before Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) volunteers during their courtesy call at the Rizal Hall in Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, Duterte said that it is part of De Lima's job. 

"When I was a mayor, I was the favorite whipping boy of the human rights [advocates]. I do not blame De Lima. Trabaho niya iyan eh. Kasi kung ako ang ilagay mo diyan, yayariin talaga kita," the President said.

Duterte, however, said that he had first-hand experience on how drug personalities influenced the justice system.

"Ang kalaban natin dito is greed... I would assume na ganoon that you — papasok ka dito sa droga — if it is the greed for money, I would just assume that you are just destroying the country," he said.

In her first privilege speech on Tuesday, De Lima said people behind "this terrifying trend in law enforcement" must be held accountable and urged the public to "continue opposing the murder of the innocents as well as that of the suspects."

De Lima, who had previously served as Commission of Human Rights chairman and Justice secretary, also called for an investigation of killings perpetrated by the vigilante assassins."

"In the campaign against criminality, we cannot applaud criminal methods merely because we are left unaffected," she said. "Life has more value than an accusation written on a piece of cardboard whether you are rich or a scum of the earth." —JST, GMA News