By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
Malacañang said there was nothing wrong with President Duterte's shoot-to-kill order against those who will create trouble and chaos amid the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo made the statement two days after Duterte minced no words in warning troublemakers of dire consequences if they continue to create unrest, sow fear and foment hate against the government, for the duration of the national health emergency due to serious threats posed by coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19).
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo
(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Panelo also criticized Amnesty International after it urged the government to end incitement to violence and protect the right to human life and human rights.
"Let us educate and disabuse the biased minds of these incorrigible objectors. The President is tasked by the Constitution to enforce the laws of the land. Transgressors will suffer the consequences of their violations," he said.
"Threatening violators and enemies of the state with deathly violence is not a crime. The law allows the use of lethal violence lives of people hang on a balance. That is a universal law anchored on the principle of self-preservation," he added.
Acording to Panelo, Article 12, Section 18 of the Constitution allows the President to call the armed forced to prevent or suppress lawless violence.
"In issuing the warning to the Left as well as to those who instigate riots and violence, he is merely reminding them that the government is ready to forcibly quell any unrest and disturbance that threaten public safety specially at this time of national emergency," he said.
Panelo said that Duterte, by exercising powers provided by the Constitution seeks to put an end to violence that will result to the destruction of lives and properties.
"In so doing, the President is protecting the lives and human rights of people whose lives are placed in imminent danger " he said.
"The enemies of the state are once more forewarned: Any attempt at destabilizing the government and all acts calculated to impede the swift and smooth implementation of the Bayanihan To Heal As One Act to the detriment of the general welfare will be crushed," he added.
On Wednesday, President Duterte slammed the Left for supposedly taking advantage of the pandemic, as well as those discriminating against - and harassing the health workers.
Duterte warned the Left, troublemakers, and those harming health workers that they will be detained until the duration of the national emergency. He likewise warned them that if they wanted trouble and bloodshed, he will give it to them.
The President then ordered the police, military, and even barangay officials to shoot them dead if their lives are placed on the line.
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