Four presidential candidates on Saturday stated their positions on outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte's drug war and if they would continue it if they succeed him in 2022.
The war on drugs is the centerpiece of Duterte's six-year rule and allegations of human rights abuse have prompted the ICC to prepare for a formal inquiry. The process was suspended in November last year after Manila told the international tribunal that it was investigating alleged misconduct of state forces on its own.
GMA News' Jessica Soho asked the candidates if they would pursue the drug war.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson
"Kailangan comprehensive. Natutok ang administrasyong ito sa law enforcement. Nakalimutan 'yung prevention at saka 'yung rehabilitation. Dapat holistic at saka comprehensive ang approach. Kaya nga nung ako'y chairman ng Committee on Public Order and Illegal Drugs, marami kaming naitulong, 'yung kay Kian delos Santos, 'yung mga abuso ng pulis tungkol sa extrajudicial killings kaya nga may nasakdal at meron pang na-convict. Hindi natin papayagan na 'yung pulis e mag-abuso pagdating sa law enforcement kasi sila 'yung first line of defense sa napakaraming lugar, sa malalayong lugar at kapag ang pulis ay hindi naging protektor sa pagsisilbi nila, walang mangyayari sa ating fight against illegal drugs at sa criminality."
Lacson also said he believes there are extrajudicial killings in Duterte's anti-drug war campaign.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno
"Kung ano ang ginawa namin sa Maynila para labanan ang droga, naging matagumpay kami. Buhay ang mga suspek. Pati 'yung mga hardcore criminal, pati mga wanted pinagkakalawit namin, nakuha namin. Pinalagay namin sila sa husgado. Rule of law is being observed. Very specific ang order ko: Never violate human rights. In the future, may lumabag sa nakaraan, papanagutin ko sa mata ng batas. Walang abuso na magaganap ang gobyerno sa mga suspek o suspected o whoever they are but war on drugs must continue. We must pursue that."
When asked if he believes there are extrajudicial killings in the war on drugs, he said yes.
Sen. Manny Pacquiao
"Ipagpatuloy po natin 'yung war on drugs in the right way at 'yung mga lumabag sa batas, pulis ka man, simple citizen ka man, kailangan maparusahan. 'Yan po ang kailangan natin sundin ang batas palagi dahil 'pag 'di po tayo sumunod sa batas ay mava-violate natin ang karapatang pantao."
Pacquiao also said "yes" when asked if he believes there are extrajudicial killings in Duterte's anti-drug campaign.
Vice President Leni Robredo
"Ipagpapatuloy ko with the same vigor pero ibang paraan. Nung ako ay nag-co-chair ng ICAD (Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs), I was there for 18 days, pagkatapos ng aking termino, nung ako'y tinanggal na, naghain ako ng isang mahabang paper na nandoon naka-suggest 'yung lahat ng dapat sanang gawin para maayos 'yung laban kontra sa droga. Naniniwala ako na malaki ang problema natin sa drugs pero there are better ways of doing it. Alam natin na hanggang ngayon problema pa rin natin 'yung droga, ang dami nang namatay pero hindi pa rin natin nareresolbahan."
Robredo also said she believes that there are extrajudicial killings in the war on drugs.
MORE ON DRUG WAR
Why Stop Drug War Probe? Victims' Angry Kin Ask ICC
'If I Go to Jail, I Go to Muntinlupa', Duterte Says on Drug War Probe
Duterte: I Assume Full Responsibility for Drug War
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