Lacson tells Duterte supporters to shun violence amid double whammy of ICC case, impeachment

Panfilo "Ping" Lacson (Facebook)

Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial bet Panfilo "Ping" Lacson is appealing to supporters of the Duterte family to observe the boundaries of their demonstrations and not resort to violence.

Lacson said that while the police have shown maximum tolerance during recent protest actions, they are duty-bound to act if the protests turn violent and threaten national security.

"Let's not resort to violence. We can express our sentiments though even this has its boundaries. But let us avoid violence and committing criminal offenses," he said in Filipino during a television interview Monday, March 17.

"The maximum tolerance exercised by our security forces extends to the freedom of expression and assembly. But if there is violence in the course of expressing sentiments, there are limits to maximum tolerance and security forces will act to protect the state," added Lacson, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief.

Lacson acknowledged that Duterte family supporters are dealing with the double whammy of former president Rodrigo Duterte's detention and trial for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment by the House of Representatives. 

The ex-senator says he is both saddened and worried by the turn of events that triggered at least 61 mass protest actions in several areas in the country and other parts of the world, stemming from the former president's arrest. 

He is concerned that the country would suffer from the effects of the high emotion and tension in the long term.

"I consider the former President a friend since the 1990s, when I was head of Task Force Habagat. I am sad over what happened to him," Lacson said.

Lacson likewise noted the impeachment of Vice President Duterte may have added to the perception that the Dutertes are being persecuted, even if the Senate is compelled by the Constitution to act on the impeachment process after the House transmitted the Articles of Impeachment to it.

The Alyansa bet appealed to the public to watch out against the use of fake news by those adding fuel to the fire, even as he noted the police and military have so far shown their professionalism.