Cops to follow Duterte’s shoot-to-kill order vs. inmates

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Oscar Albayalde said officers may have to follow President Rodrigo Duterte's supposed "shoot-to-kill" directive if the convicts released through the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) Law would resist arrest.

"Kung may lalaban, wala tayong magagawa," Albayalde said in a press briefing on Thursday. "Pero of course, we encourage them to voluntarily surrender and peacefully surrender na lang."

During a news conference in Malacañang on Wednesday, Duterte gave the released convicts a 15-day "grace period" to turn themselves in or be considered fugitives.

At a press briefing the next day, Albayalde was asked if police officers would obey the President's supposed "shoot-to-kill" directive against convicts "offering violent resistance."

"Well, of course, 'yung shoot to kill na sinasabi naman, if they will resist arrest," Albayalde clarified.

"Kung talagang lalaban sila, wala tayong magawa. This is a normal police operation serving an arrest warrant...(Kung) may reversal doon sa decision, of course, after 15 days na binigay na grace period for them to surrender, they will already face arrest," he added.

The PNP chief explained that "danger" could ensue both for the convict and the arresting officers should the released inmates, especially those convicted of heinous crimes, refuse to turn themselves in within the 15-day period.

"Of course, 'yung danger of being arrested dahil hindi natin titigilan ito. Unang-una, may utos satin 'yung ating Commander-in-Chief, especially so 'yung mga involved sa heinous crimes," the PNP chief stressed.

"At, of course, kung . . .lalaban sa ating mga arresting officers, then 'yung ating mga kapulisan or any other law enforcement personnel, baka magkaroon ng disgrasya not only on the side of the suspect but also on the side of the law enforcers."

Albayalde also gave his take on Duterte's remark that he wanted resisting convicts caught "dead or alive."

"Ang sinasabi ng ating pangulo is...really just to emphasize na itong mga tao na 'to, lalong lalo na 'yung mga mapakawalan na involved sa heinous crimes, they have to be arrested," he said.

"At alam naman natin na if your involved in a heinous crime like yung murder, murder with rape, yung mga ganon talagang meron kang violent mind, criminal mind dito, na it's not remote na ikaw ay lalaban dun sa mga arresting officers," he added.

"Not necessarily pag nakita mo na, even hindi siya lumalaban, ay papatayin mo ang tao. Hindi naman 'yun ang ibig sabihin ng ating Pangulo." —LDF, GMA News