PNP chief claims Social Weather Stations got it wrong on EJK survey

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde believes the Social Weather Stations (SWS) got it wrong in its survey on perceptions regarding extrajudicial killings (EJK) in the country.

During a press conference at Camp Crame yesterday, Albayalde did not hide his displeasure as he said that the questions were framed the wrong way.

“I do not want to dispute the statistics derived by SWS, except that there is something amiss with how the questions were framed in relation to the perception of alleged police involvement in illegal drugs and alleged EJK,” he said.

The questions were erroneous, the PNP chief  said.

“How fearful are you about EJK? Everybody would be scared of course,” Albayalde added in English and Filipino.

The survey conducted from Dec. 16 to 19 indicated that 78 percent of Filipinos are worried that they or someone they know would become victims of EJK.

Albayalde said it seems the results of the survey project that extrajudicial killings are rampant in the country.

“It bothers us in a way because it appears that we are trying to condition the minds of our people that extrajudicial killings occur often,” he said.

Albayalde pointed out that the SWS should have provided respondents with a briefer on the definition of EJK as stated in Administrative Order 35 issued by former president Benigno Aquino III.

In the order, extrajudicial killings are defined as being committed by state and non-state forces by silencing through violence and intimidation, legitimate dissent and opposition raised by members of civil society, cause-oriented groups, political movements, people’s non-government organizations and ordinary citizens.

Albayalde claimed that there has been no proven case of EJK under the administration of President Duterte.

“No less than the human rights (commission) said extrajudicial killings have yet to be proved,” he added.

Albayalde said the SWS should tell the truth and avoid being used in politics.

“What’s important is our social responsibility. What do we want the survey to show to our countrymen?” he said.

Albayalde also downplayed Duterte’s recent declaration that the war on narcotics will be even bloodier, adding that the President was just emphasizing the need for law enforcement agencies to exert more effort in solving the drug problem in the country.