‘Forming hit squads not job of PNP’

MANILA, Philippines — It is “not the job” of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to form hit squads.

PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. said they are “proceeding with caution” on the “idea” of President Duterte to form death squads to go after “Sparrow Unit” hit squads of the communist New People’s Army (NPA). 

“No, it is not our job. That is why we are proceeding with a lot of caution. Even the President was very sensitive and it came from the Palace itself that it is still an idea to be considered,” Durana said during an interview with ANC. 

Durana said there is still no official directive or formal order to the PNP from Malacañang to create a death squad.

While the President’s statement should be taken seriously, the PNP takes this information within the boundaries by which it can operate, he said. 

There is no confusion within the ranks of the PNP as it heeds the original marching order of the President to address illegal drugs and criminality within the bounds of the law. 

“As far as the PNP is concerned, we are a law enforcement agency. We will respond and design probably that counter-insurgency strategy within the bounds of the law, fulfilling the requirements of the law,” Durana said. 

Without the formal directive, the PNP will instead focus on its two program thrusts: the intensified campaign against illegal drugs and its internal cleansing, he said.

Durana said even the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is studying the President’s statement to see if it is legal and possible. 

No less than Duterte’s top security officials are cautious over his idea.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana had stressed the creation of the death squad would have to be studied carefully.

Lorenzana also said allowing the operation of a so-called sparrow unit will be susceptible to abuse and mistakes. 

He said operations are dangerous and should be properly handled and supervised by professionals.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde is supporting the proposal but said its members should be vetted and qualified to hold firearms.

Albayalde said as a general rule, even barangay officials should not bear arms.

He said Duterte could be referring to a civilian armed group similar to the Citizen Armed Force Geographic Unit (CAFGU), an auxiliary force under the supervision of the AFP.

Albayalde said members of the CAFGU are held accountable if they commit human rights abuses since the government has control and supervision over them.

Peace advocates said they are deeply dismayed and alarmed over Duterte’s idea to form a death squad.

“We refer to the setting up of ‘death squads’ that can now target anyone. We are horrified that the President chooses to turn the country into an expanded killing field that will target not only those allegedly into the drug trade but the poor in general, political oppositionists and dissenters, human-rights defenders and virtually anyone that the regime may point its finger at,” Kapayapaan Campaign for a Just and Lasting Peace said.

The militant Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) branded Duterte as “lunatic” over his proposal to form death squads.

KMU-Metro Manila chairman Ed Cubelo said death squads are already in place even without Duterte announcing it. – With Rhodina Villanueva, Sheila Crisostomo