Duterte to Liberal Party: 'Set aside politics'

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte told the Liberal Party (LP) to set aside politics after former president Benigno Aquino III criticized him for his remarks on human rights. 

Duterte talked about the opposition on Monday night when he delivered a speech in Sta. Ana, Cagayan where he led the destruction of at least P300 million worth of smuggled vehicles. 

“Something entered my ears. Perhaps it’s yellow,” the President said, referring to the campaign color associated with Aquino and the LP. 

“To the yellows and everyone, set aside politics. The yellows have long melted.”

Aquino chided Duterte for making a distinction between human rights and human lives during the President’s third State of the Nation Address.

Duterte had claimed that while his critics were concerned about human rights, he was securing human lives.  

He also took a jab at Vice President Leni Robredo, the highest elected official of LP. 

“I have to stop talking because they are signaling me that there’s a high range of mountains there... The next one who will destroy these (smuggled vehicles), if we are unlucky, is Robredo,” Duterte said. 

“Can she destroy these?” he added, referring to the smuggled cars.

Duterte earlier said Robredo should not succeed him because she is “incompetent.”  

Meanwhile, presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. allayed public fears of another wave of extrajudicial killings after the Philippine National Police (PNP) recalibrated its anti-crime campaign, including the war on drugs.

 “Coming from PNP chief Oscar Albayalde who has proven himself to be operating within the rule of law, I welcome that remark. It will be relentless but it will be within the rule of law,” Roque said.

He said the full force of the law would be implemented against criminals and those involved in the illegal drug trade.

 “So criminals, there’s a reason for you to be chilled. But for law abiding individuals, you’re secure,” Roque said.

On Monday, Albayalde said the PNP would recalibrate “Tokhang” operations against drug suspects.

The PNP has denied involvement in extrajudicial killings amid the increase in drug-related deaths.  – With Christina Mendez