President Duterte |
By Alexis Romero
MANILA, Philippines - President Duterte yesterday denied forming a task force to kill criminals, even as he admitted that hundreds of them died while he was mayor of Davao City.
Duterte said he does not play favorites with the security forces and that he relays his directives to police chiefs.
“There is no task force. You can see that I give the orders to the chief, to Bato (nickname of Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa). Wala akong bata-bata na ganoon (I don’t play favorites). Even in the military,” the President said.
“Didn’t I say it? Every now and then, do not create a cult or rido (clash). I do not need it. I said, I do not need it, I do not like it,” he added. “I do not believe in favoritism. Whatever I give to other units, I also give to the rest.”
Earlier, retired policeman Arthur LascaƱas accused Duterte of operating the so-called Davao death squad and ordering the execution of criminals while he was still mayor of Davao City.
LascaƱas’ claim was a departure from his previous statement last October that the death squad did not exist.
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