De Lima: Duterte should've given clear advice to law enforcers

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Leila De Lima said that she was satisfied with President Rodrigo Duterte's first State of the Nation Address (SONA) but noticed that he lacked a statement on the spate of drug-related killings.

"He could have issued a more categorical advice or statement sa mga law enforcers na wala dapat mga sakuna ganyan but actually satisfied na rin ako in the sense na three times niya yata nabanggit ang human rights," De Lima said in an ambush interview after Duterte's SONA.

The former Justice Secretary noted that the president also cautioned law enforcers not to abuse their authority in the war against drugs.

"Pwede na po 'yun. At least he is cautioning law enforcers not to abuse their authority. That should be the signal because if you kill, that is abuse of authority," De Lima said.

The senator added that killing is not just an abuse of authority but also a criminal act.

De Lima, however, lauded the president's deep conviction against criminality and illegal drugs, which has been the main focus of his campaign.

"'Yan naman talaga ang kanyang centerpiece and in fact I'd like to think that's the very reason why he got overwhelming votes—his fight, his fierce and passionate fight against criminality particularly illegal drugs," the senator said.

On the other hand, De Lima said that she was surprised when the president shook her hand before delivering his speech at the Plenary Hall of the House of Representatives.

"I just said 'Hi, sir' kasi nagulat ako that's all I could say. He didn't say anything, he just shook my hand," De Lima said.

Prior to the May 2016 elections, De Lima accused Duterte of being involved with the Davao Death Squad and said that he should be held criminally liable for 1,000 summary killings in Davao City.

READ: Word war between De Lima, Duterte continues

Duterte, however, said that De Lima only released such statements to earn publicity for the senatorial polls. The president also dared the then Justice secretary to file a complaint against him.

Upon winning a seat at Senate, De Lima maintained she will continue to oppose the anti-human rights policies of the president. De Lima had already filed a Senate resolution to look into the spate of extrajudicial killings and summary executions of alleged drug dealers.