New group opposing EJKs launched

MANILA, Philippines — A new cause-oriented group called “Tindig Pilipinas” urged yesterday President Duterte to stop the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in the country allegedly perpetrated by some members of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Tindig Pilipinas was officially launched at the Kalayaan Hall of the Club Filipino in San Juan City yesterday morning by its founders YouthResist; FSC of NGO-PO Alliance; Akbayan Citizens Action Party; EveryWoman of detained Sen. Leila de Lima; Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano; the groups led by former Civil Service Commission chair Karina Constantino-David and former solicitor general Florin Hilbay and the minority bloc in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

“In the name of the more than 12,000 dead, we call upon President Duterte to end extrajudicial killings that have become the hallmark of his war on drugs,” Tindig Pilipinas said in a joint statement read by David. 

Tindig Pilipinas is a union of coalitions and citizens who are alarmed and outraged by alleged EJKs as a result of President Duterte’s war on illegal drugs.

The group urged the Duterte government to uphold human rights, peace and the rule of law. 

The group’s launching was attended by Sens. Francis Pangilinan, Antonio Trillanes IV and Risa Hontiveros, and congressman Alejano.

Former Cabinet members of president Benigno Aquino III present included Edwin Lacierda, Teresita Deles and Armin Luistro.

“Where division exists, let us show solidarity. Where doubt lies and falsehoods abound, let us provide resolute resistance... When official actions violate our country’s core beliefs, all of us have the right to demand and the duty to say, not in our name,” Alejano said. 

Alejano said the country is being led down a dark path filled with violence, contempt of law and hate where honest debate is not only shouted down, but every attempt at sobriety in public discourse is dismissed with threats.

David urged the Duterte government to respect human rights and uphold the rule of law.

“In the name of the more than 12,000 dead, we call on President Duterte to end extrajudicial killings that have become the hallmark of his war on drugs. We call upon him to measure the success of his campaign not on the number of lives killed, but on the number of lives redeemed,” David said. 

Tindig Pilipinas said that government institutions such as the Department of Justice, the Office of the Solicitor General and, most of all, the Philippine National Police and independent institutions that are meant to protect the public and accountability like the Commission on Human Rights, the Office of the Ombudsman and the Supreme Court, have been severely weakened and threatened with impeachment and budget cuts. – With Rhodina Villanueva, Perseus Echeminada, Alexis Romero, Ding Cervantes