(Eagle News)–Senator Richard Gordon has called on the Philippine National Police to put an end to what he said was the culture of violence in the country.
Gordon made the statement, noting what he said were the “series of shootings and killings reported across the country starting Dec. 14.”
He said these included the ambush of Councilor Ricardo Tan and his wife in Negros Occidental on Dec. 14; that of Erfe del Castillo and Elfren Palmares by unidentified gunmen along the Bacolod-Silay Airport Access Road also in Negros Occidental on Dec. 22; the killing of Ariel Vicencio, son of former Malabon Mayor Amado Vicencio, whose two companions were also wounded by a gunman who escaped on board a motorcycle in Malabon on the same day; and the killing of Ako Bicol Representative Rodel Batocabe and his police escort in Daraga, Albay on Dec. 22.
“These incidents, over a span of slightly more than a week in different parts of the country, show that there are elements in our society that believe that a culture of violence is the only way to change, that a culture of impunity and not the rule of law prevails!” Gordon said.
According to Gordon, “with the level of technology we have today, with the number of CCTV and mobile phone cameras around, dedicated and systematic police work,” can, however, result in the “identification and arrest of the perpetrators of these acts of violence.”
He said the vigilance of the public was also key.
“..What is also essential is the participation of the people by providing statements on what they may have witnessed including providing sworn testimonies to ensure that the perpetrators are appropriately punished,” he said.
“At this time of turbulence, we must all return to our fundamental law, the Philippine Constitution for guidance. The Constitution mandates that our government ensure rule of law and due process every step of the way – from criminal investigation to identification of the accused, the filing of criminal charges before our courts, arrest, trial, promulgation of judgment and then imposition of penalties, if warranted by evidence,” he added.