PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde welcomed on Monday, October 15, the possible conduct of a Senate investigation into the spate of killings in Cebu.
"We will support the probe, palagi yan kung merong mga investigation or talagang merong resolution that necessitates an investigation, we are always supporting investigations wala namang itatago ang PNP diyan," he said.
On Wednesday, October 10, opposition senators Franklin Drilon, Francis Pangilinan, Leila de Lima, Antonio Trillanes IV, Risa Hontiveros and Paolo Benigno Aquino IV filed Senate Resolution 915 which seeks for the opening of investigation on the spate of killings in Cebu amid the goverment's crackdown on illegal drugs.
The senators said the allegations that police officers are involved in the killings is "highly disturbing."
"As duty bearers, the PNP must observe proper operational procedures in order to fulfill the organization's obligation with respect for human rights," the resolution reads.
Earlier, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said the number of killings in their area started to increase since Cebu City Police director Royina Garma and Police Regional Office Central Visayas chief Debold Sinas assumed office in July and June 2018, respectively.
In response, Albayalde said, "Baka 'yung sipag ng ano (bagong directors). Kasi remember 'yung RD (regional director) doon is bago before we installed the different regional directors, we gave them directives na talagang paigtingin 'yung ating kampanya laban sa ilegal na droga so probably yun ang nakita ng regional director kaya siguro nagreact 'yung different commanders on the ground."
"'Yun ang nakikita naman natin, not because meron tayong quota or meron na namang ganitong insinuations, walang ganon," he added.
From June to October 10, 2018, 180 people were killed in Cebu.
Of the 180 killed, 105 were attacked by unidentified gunmen while 44 died in the hands of police and anti-narcotics operatives.
However, Albayalde maintained that all the operations conducted by the local police were "supported with documents" while all operations where there were casualties are being investigated by the Internal Affairs Service.
"As per info from the regional director which are supported by documents, supported by documents naman ang naging operation nila may search warrant sila," he said. (SunStar Philippines)