AFP, PNP move with caution on ‘Duterte Death Squad’

MANILA, Philippines — Military and police officials are cautious over President Duterte’s proposal to form an armed civilian group to go after communist rebel assassins.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana stressed the creation of a “Duterte Death Squad” would have to be studied carefully.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde is supporting the proposal but said its members should be vetted and qualified to hold firearms.

“They have to undergo processing and they also have to have the necessary permits,” Albayalde said.

Lorenzana, for his part, said allowing the operation of a so-called Sparrow Unit against rebels will be susceptible to abuse and mistakes. 

He said such operations are dangerous and should be properly handled and supervised by professionals.

“We will study it very closely. Who will compose it? Who will supervise it? Who will be the targets? Who will be accountable?” Lorenzana said. “Because there is great danger of abuse or mistakes in these undercover operations.”

Lorenzana said there is the possibility of mistaken targets.

“He might resemble the real target or probably tagged by someone who has a personal grudge,” Lorenzana said.

“One way to prevent this is for someone higher up to give the go- signal after careful and thorough vetting. There should be no blanket authority for the operatives,” he said.

Albayalde, on the other hand, said even barangay officials should not bear arms as a rule.

He said Duterte could be referring to a civilian armed group similar to the Citizen Armed Force Geographic Unit (CAFGU), an auxiliary force under the supervision of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Albayalde said members of the CAFGU are held accountable if they commit human rights abuses since the government has control and supervision over them.

“They are being supervised by the organic personnel and officers of the AFP,” Albayalde said.

Asked what may have prompted Duterte to make such a statement, Albayalde said the President probably wants to prevent NPA rebels from committing atrocities against state security forces.

This is the same reason why Duterte issued Memorandum Order 32 ordering the deployment of additional forces in Samar, Negros provinces and the Bicol region, according to Albayalde.

Duterte on Tuesday bared his plan to form an armed civilian group against the New People’s Army (NPA) to counter its “Sparrow Unit” group of assassins.

“I will create my own Sparrow. They will look mainly for idlers, prospective NPAs and kill them,” he said.

Sen. Gregorio Honasan, chairman of the committee on national defense and security, said there may be basis for Duterte’s resorting to extreme measures in combating communist hit squads.

Honasan, however, did not directly say that he was in favor of Duterte’s intention of forming death squads.

He said it is the first responsibility of any government to promote law and order, and protect life, liberty and property.

“Extreme measures for extreme situations. Presidential prerogative, but all within the bounds and limits prescribed by law,” Honasan said.

Duterte gave assurance that he is not declaring martial law following his MO 32.

The President explained MO 32 was issued to prevent more encounters between government forces and the NPA rebels, particularly in the areas mentioned in the order.

“No, I am not going to declare martial law. There’s enough powers of the presidency I can use,” Duterte told reporters in Bohol last Tuesday. 

“Well, kung talagang it’s (if there is) widespread violence then maybe. But I do not need really violence in every corner of the Philippines to say that we are in danger,” he added. 

Duterte said the issuance of the order is part of his responsibility as president. 

“I will do what is necessary to preserve this nation and to protect the people, that is my oath of office,” Duterte said. 

“You place troops where you think that you need added forces... I’m surprised why you are so interested about deployment when I’m supposed to take care of the security of the country,” he added. – With Edith Regalado, Paolo Romero, Alexis Romero