WATCH: Did Duterte encourage killing of drug suspects?
President Rodrigo Duterte gestures during his second state of the nation address at the House of Representatives in suburban Quezon city, north of Manila, Philippines, Monday July 24, 2017. AP/Aaron Favila
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte said he never ordered the police to kill drug suspects despite previous speeches where he remarked encouraging cops to make drug suspects fight back and finish them off.
The president, who is known for openly contradicting his own statements, said this in a speech Wednesday at the anniversary celebration of the Social Security System.
"Wala akong inutos na patayin mo yung bata o matanda and even the enemy on bended knees," he said.
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A day after, National Capital Region Police Office chief Oscar Albayalde said Thursday it is up to cops' judgment call how they interpret statements of the president on killing drug suspects.
The president and Metro Manila's top cop's latest remarks came after the deaths of teenagers Kian delos Santos and Carl Arnaiz for allegedly fighting back against police amid forensic evidence disputing such claims. Their killing along with the resurfacing of the body of Reynaldo de Guzman, the 14-year-old who accompanied Arnaiz on August 17 to buy midnight snacks, prompted mounting dissent against escalating deaths under the Duterte administration.
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Here are the times Duterte made remarks about killing drug suspects:
— Video by Efigenio Toledo IV
- Latest
