DUTERTE’S KILL ORDER | Duterte’s ‘kill, kill, kill’ order against rebels is legal

DUTERTE’S KILL ORDER | Duterte’s ‘kill, kill, kill’ order against rebels is legal – spokesman

March 8, 2021 , 09:04 PM

(March 8, 2021) – President Rodrigo Duterte’s repeated comments to crush Maoist-led guerrillas was legal under the international humanitarian law (IHL), his spokesman said on Monday, defending the government’s counter-insurgency campaign to end the rebellion by June 2022.

Harry Roque said security forces can use lethal force against armed Communist rebels in an anti-insurgency operation, adding soldiers and police forces have the duty to defend themselves in case of attacks.

“Tama po iyong order ng Presidente—kill, kill, kill—kasi nga po kapag mayroong labanan, kapag ang kalaban mo, may baril na pwede kang patayin, alangan namang ikaw ang maghintay na ikaw ang mabaril at mapatay,” Roque said.

“Legal po ‘yan dahil ang kanyang sinabing ‘kill, kill, kill’ ay iyong mga rebelde na meron talagang hawak na armas.”

On Friday, the firebrand leader ordered the police and military to kill insurgents during a gun battle, promising to take all the responsibility in case human rights groups seek an inquiry.

He also urged state forces to ignore human rights in carrying out anti- insurgency operations, a similar statement he gave to police officers in killing suspected drug users in his signature war on drugs policy.

Human rights groups and activists said the “kill” order was not only directed to armed combatants of the Maoist-led New People’s Army (NPA), but also to government critics after nine environmental, labor and cause-oriented activists were killed in almost simultaneous and coordinated police operations in the Southern Tagalog region.

The state forces were emboldened to carry out the brutal and bloody operations against people tagged as communists after the president’s constant bashing of government critics.

However, Roque clarified civilians are covered by the president’s “kill” order, promising the government will look into the killings of nine people on Sunday.

The justice department will also open an independent investigation into this incident, while the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) will have a separate inquiry.

“‘Yung mga siyam po na napatay, iimbestigahan po natin ‘yan. Hindi po sila sakop ng International Human Rights Law dahil noong sila ay napatay, wala naman silang hawak na baril,” Roque said.

Former Congressman Teddy Casiño criticized Duterte’s officials for condoning the president’s public statements on killing suspected rebels.

“Ang silbi ng mga pronouncements ni Duterte is to continuously embolden the police and the military to violate human rights and to go after activists and political dissenters kahit hindi armado yan o kahit hindi connected to any armed groups. It is no coincidence this happened right after Duterte gave his orders,” said Casiño.

Human rights groups also chided the Duterte government for failing to end violence even when they have repeatedly promised to put an end to these systematic attacks.

“Where the right to life is concerned, the government has the utmost obligation to fulfill its obligation—no matter which side of the political spectrum one belongs,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline De Guia said in a statement.

“It is the supreme duty of the State to protect the right to life. Hence, all necessary actions must be done to demonstrate our genuine regard for life and to truly address the impunity and stop further killings.”

(Beatrice Puente/MM)

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