MALACAÑANG said Wednesday it will comply with the Supreme Court order requiring police officials to submit reports on the killing of drug suspects since the implementation of the government’s war on illegal drugs.
Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra said it was the policy of the executive branch to heed the high court.
“Guess we have no other alternative except to comply,” Guevarra said.
He made his statement even as the Philippine National Police said Wednesday it respects the Supreme Court resolution ordering it to submit data on the almost 4,000 documented killings in the government’s war on drugs.
“The PNP respects the resolution of the Supreme Court, but we will take the legal recommendation of the Solicitor General on the matter,” said PNP spokesman Chief Supt. John Bulalacao.
“We appeal for more time because we have to collate the investigation reports from the regions.”
Senator Panfilo Lacson said it was just right that the Supreme Court gave its order.
“It is right the [high court] demanded or ordered them to submit all the details of the more than 3,000 deaths on account of the legitimate operations on the anti-drugs operations,” Lacson said.
“We tried during the hearings but somehow they failed to comply. But here there is a contempt issue involved, and it’s no less than the SC that’s ordering them.”
Senator Joel Villanueva said the high court’s order reinforces the rule of law in the country.
“I hope the numerous drug suspects killed under Oplan Tokhang will find justice as the SC conducts its review of this operation,” he said.
Guevarra said while the Office of the Solicitor General had earlier argued there were certain security concerns that must be addressed in connection with this matter, the government would comply with the high court’s order.
“Is no need for Malacañang to issue a directive to the Philippine National Police to comply with the order. We will comply,” Guevarra said.
“That’s the final order of the Supreme Court, all agencies of the government bound by that order are supposed to comply and follow.”
Guevarra said the high court’s order would have no negative effects on the government’s war on drugs.
“Don’t see any potential effect because the law enforcement agencies are not hiding anything with these documents, except for the security of the possible witnesses and so forth,” Guevarra said.
He said the police will continue their war on drugs despite the high court’s order.
Police officers visit the houses of suspected drug users and pushers to convince them to surrender.
But some of their operations have turned deadly, catching the attention of human rights groups that accuse the government of undertaking a brutal campaign.
