President Rodrigo Duterte has remained defiant amid the pronouncement made by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on the inclusion of some judges in the list of persons allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade in the country, during his speech here Tuesday afternoon.
Duterte was here to visit the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division troops, especially those who were injured and killed during encounters with the New People’s Army (NPA) recently.
The President was reacting to Sereno’s statement that law enforcers must first secure a warrant of arrest before a judge could make themselves “physically accountable to any police officer” as she warned of a constitutional crisis.
“Do not create a crisis because I will order everybody in the executive department not to honor you,” Duterte said as a warning to the head of the judiciary branch.“You order me? I will not follow you,” he said, referring to Sereno.
But Duterte has clarified that he did not order the police to arrest those judges on the list, but for the magistrates to show up at the Supreme Court, just as he enjoined police officers allegedly involved to report to PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa.
“What did I say? Judges [who are on the list] should report to the Supreme Court. I did not order them to be arrested,” he said, adding “I never accused anybody except to read their names.”
What he did when he read out the names of judges, police officers and local government officials who have connections with the illegal drug trade was “not an accusatorial utterance, but rather it was in consonance with my duty as the President of the Philippines…”
He said securing a warrant of arrest to every Filipino involved in illegal drugs would take time while crimes are being committed in the streets.
During the visit, Major Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, commander of the army’s 4ID, showed to the President some 25 firearms confiscated by the military from the New People’s Army (NPA) from various encounters in the Caraga and Northern Mindanao regions.
Duterte also awarded Gold Cross Medal to nine soldiers for gallantry in action during an encounter with about 80 NPA members in Sitio Kambangon, Barangay Lilingayon, Valencia City, Bukidnon on Aug. 5.
He also pinned Wounded Personnel Medals to two enlisted personnel who were wounded in action during a clash with the rebels on Aug. 6 in the same area.
In a statement, Madrigal expressed his support and commitment to Duterte.
“We manifest our support and commitment to your trust and programs. This Command dutifully, dedicatedly, passionately performs its mission and strongly upholds your advocacy for change,” he said.
In his speech, Duterte has warned the NPAs anew that the peace talks between the government and the rebel groups will be discontinued should there be soldiers or civilians that will be hurt due to a land mine explosion. (Jigger J. Jerusalem/PNA)
