Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday told police to kill “idiots” who forcibly resist arrest just days after thousands of people called for an end to violence in his war on drugs during the funeral of a slain teenager.
In his speech commemorating National Heroes’ Day, Duterte reminded police to follow the rules of engagement when on duty, stressing that “murder and homicide or...unlawful killing is not allowed”.
“But in the performance of your duty, tell your men that whenever their life is in danger and they are in the actual performance of their duty, your duty requires you to overcome the resistance of the person you are arresting,” he added.
“Not only just shouting at him to surrender, because if he does not, and he resists and it is a violent one, placing in jeopardy the lives of my policemen and of course the military, you are free to kill the idiots. That is my order to you.”
Hours later, Duterte met with the parents of 17-year-old Kian Loyd Delos Santos, who was shot dead by police officers who claimed the high school student opened fire at them when they accosted him for alleged involvement in illegal drugs.
But CCTV footage showed the police officers dragging Delos Santos minutes before he was killed on August 16 in a dark corner in a poor community in the suburban city of Caloocan.
The public attorney’s office has filed a complaint of murder against three police officers involved in the killing before the Department of Justice.
In his meeting with Delos Santos’ parents, Duterte “assured that there will be no interference in the case, citing that only due process will prevail and that the handling of the case will be fair”, a government statement said.
“I will not tolerate abuse. That is not the job of the president,” Duterte told Kian’s parents, according to the statement.”Our job is to protect the people.”
Duterte hugged the teen’s mother, according to photos released by the presidential palace.
Lorenzana and Saldy Delos Santos later posed with the president and an anti-crime advocate for a photo, with their fists clenched, a gesture popularised by the president during his campaign. Lorenzana said the president promised them help in ensuring the quick resolution of the case filed against the policemen that killed her son.
“We have no doubt and trust with all our heart that he will help fast-track the resolution of our son’s case,” she said. The teen’s father, Saldy, added, “We feel secure. Our fears were erased and we’re happy.”
Justice Secretay Vitaliano Aguirre, who was at the meeting, said the couple sought assistance to ensure the security of their family as well as housing and livelihood assistance.
On Saturday, thousands of people joined a funeral march for Delos Santos and demanded a stop to the killings in Duterte’s drug war, which has also targeted innocent civilians.
The teenager who wanted to be a policeman was among more than 90 people killed in the bloodiest week in Duterte’s anti-drug war since he took office on June 30, 2016. His death has triggered public outrage in the Philippines against Duterte’s drug war, in which at least 3,500 people have been killed in one year.
The case has also highlighted the allegations of abuse by police in the anti-drug war, which has been supported by many Filipinos despite criticism from human rights groups and foreign governments..
  City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said yesterday that he was not involved in drugs “in any way”.
“I am an urban planner, developmental person and that’s where my focus was during these years,” said Mabilog, allegedly one of the local chief executives on President Duterte’s “drug list”.
Mabilog admitted that because of his background: “I totally depended on police and the PDEA to arrest the drug situation.” PDEA is the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). In an interview on radio dzMM, Mabilog said he welcomed the assignment of Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido to Iloilo City.
Earlier yesterday, Duterte announced during his National Heroes’ Day speech at the Libingan ng mga Bayani that he was assigning Espenido to Iloilo City in response to the police official’s request.
“You (Espenido) ask for assignment? You were assigned in Albuera, and the mayor died. You got Ozamiz, the mayor died. If you go to Iloilo, would Mabilog stay alive? He has been identified as protector of drug personalities. I am asking you now because I might be the one who will they point at again [the moment the mayor dies],” Duterte said.
“Your next assignment is Iloilo,” Duterte added.
In the same speech, Duterte referred to Rolando Espinosa and Reynaldo Parajinog, mayors of Albuera, Leyte and Ozamiz City respectively who died in separate police raids amid allegations that they were involved in the illegal drug trade. In both cases, Espenido was the chief of police.
 Sought for a reaction, Mabilog said: “We follow the rule of law. That is what we will do. When Espenido arrives and will come to see me in my office, I will show him what we have done.”
“From there, we will let him be the judge,” said Mabilog. “If there are any shortcomings, the name of Iloilo is at stake although honestly, I have done everything since the President declared his war against corruption, especially on illegal drugs.”
Asked if he was willing to undergo a drug test, Mabilog said: “I have never tasted drugs in my whole life.”
Iloilo City, has been described by Duterte as the “most shabulized” in the country – meaning it had lots of “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride) available. Asked about his new assignment, Espenido, in a television interview, said, “See you.”