By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Following the recent reassignment of Police Lt. Colonel Jovie Espenido to the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), President Rodrigo Duterte told the police official last Thursday to “kill everybody.” In a message by the president during the 45th Philippine Business Conference and Expo in Manila, he admitted assigning Espenido to Bacolod City as the locality had been “badly hit” by illegal drugs.
“Bacolod is badly hit now and I placed Espenido there, ‘yung kinatakutan nila na pulis (Bacolod City is badly hit right now and I place Espenido there to have the police intimidate them),” he stated. “Sabi ko, ‘Go there and you are free to kill everybody.’ T*** ina (I said, ‘Go there and you are free to kill everybody’ [Expletive]).”
Earlier this month, after at least P2.5 million worth of stockpiled shabu was seized following a buy-bust operation in the city’s Barangay 1, BCPO director, Police Colonel Henry Biñas, said the drugs were expected to be sold to users who are in the city for the ongoing MassKara Festival.
In addition, BCPO spokesperson and deputy director, Police Lt. Colonel Ariel Pico, pointed out, with the various festivals going on throughout the month, drug dealers are likely stashing away shabu since it’s a cheaper “party drug” than ecstasy.
In an interview with DZMM Teleradyo yesterday morning, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said authorities should “follow the rule of law.”
The cabinet official claimed Duterte was “just exaggerating” to emphasize his point.
He added, Espenido should use “reasonable force” but pointed out, if criminals resist and the lives of the police officers and innocent civilians are put into danger, then they should follow the rule law.
Commission on Human Rights-Negros Occidental head Romeo Baldevarona, meanwhile, assured the public should not be alarmed by Duterte’s statement and affirmed he trusts Espenido will respect the rule of law and follow human rights when arresting criminals.
Espenido was earlier promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and appointed as deputy operations director for the Bacolod City Police Office as well as chief of the City Drug Enforcement Unit./DGB, WDJ
