Manila, Philippines — The Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) formally filed complaints against former President Rodrigo Duterte regarding his “kill senators” remark.
CIDG Chief Major General Nicolas Torre III led the filing of inciting to sedition at unlawful utterances complaints against Duterte before the Department of Justice (DOJ).
In an interview, Torre noted that they have found a clear violation on the former president’s part to decide to file the complaints, amid Duterte allies defending it as mere jokes.
Torre emphasized that while they insist that those were just jokes, the weight and influence of Duterte’s words as a former president can be taken seriously by his supporters.
“Hanggang ngayon ba naman, dadalhin natin ang gulo na yan. Na puro patay-patay na lang. At pagkatapos, if they will be taken on their word, bigla na lang, sasabihin na joke only? Or ‘yung latest naman na palusot, he is only expressing a legal opinion. Hindi na po pwede ‘yun. That’s already too much,” said Torre.
He compared the recent statements to Duterte’s previous “kill remarks” during the war on drugs campaign, which happened.
“Nangyari na ‘yan eh, diba? Sabi niya pagpapatayin ang mga— diba? Pagpapatayin ang mga adik. Nangyari nga. Marami ngang nag patayan,” he added.
Further, Torre said that as a police officer, he takes it as its duty to protect individuals that may be harmed and endangered following these threats.
After the filing, a prosecutor from DOJ will take charge of the complaints until a reasonable evidence is found to formally file a case before the High Court.
JUST JOKE
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, meanwhile, noted that the public is all used to this kind of language of the former president. So until senators themselves file a complaint, that is when DOJ will act on it.
“Motu propio, the NBI can look into that. But tingnan natin. We’ll see. Alam n’yo naman, we’re used to the language of the former president, sanay tayo. Hindi naman lahat ng sinasabi n’ya, tatalon tayo. Pero if the senators themselves complain, then we have reason to act on the matter kasi s’yempre sila ‘yung ano eh, sila ‘yung endangered nung ganoong statement,” Remulla emphasized.
NBI, on the other hand, believes that thes “kill remarks” are mere jokes and rhetorics that are part of the Dutertes’ political propaganda.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago noted that the agency is open to help and assist senators that will file complaints, but conducting an investigation over the matter remains vague as of the moment.
“Kung gusto nilang mag-file, they are most welcome to come to our office and file the complaint. They can contact us. We can send investigators to get their statements and we can file the case,” Santiago said.
It can be recalled that last Sunday, several lawmakers have condemned these kill remarks of Duterte, urging the NBI to investigate the issue.