SC oral arguments on petition vs. gov’t war on drugs

Petitioners against the government’s intensified crackdown on illegal drugs and state lawyers on Tuesday faced off at the oral arguments called by Supreme Court (SC) in connection with the consolidated petitions challenging the legality of the campaign.

The oral arguments, which began around 3 p.m., are expected to tackle the petitions filed by the relatives of alleged victims of war on drugs represented separately by human rights advocacy organizations Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) and the Center for International Law (Centerlaw).

The SC directed the petitioners and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to argue whether the Philippine National Police Command Memorandum Circular (CMC) No. 16 – 2016 or Oplan Double Barrel and the Department of the Interior and Local Government Memorandum Circular 2017-112 are constitutional.

Also up for discussion is whether the writ of amparo should be issued to ensure the protection of the petitioners. — MDM, GMA News