Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque (File photo)
MANILA – Malacañang on Tuesday challenged Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo to prove her claim that the death of at least nine activists in a series of police raids in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Rizal provinces is “massacre”.
In a virtual press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Robredo should show evidence first that cops murdered the nine activists before calling the incident as a “massacre”.
“Kung personal na nakita ni Vice President iyong pangyayari, aba’y magbigay siya ng ebidensiya. Kasi ang pananalita niya ay parang nakita ng dalawa niyang mata kung ano ang nangyari doon sa mga patayan na iyon ‘no (If the Vice President personally witnessed the incident, she should present evidence. Because she talks as if she saw in her two eyes what really happened),” Roque said.
On Monday, Robredo condemned what she called a “massacre” of nine activists during simultaneous police raids on Sunday.
Robredo also called for a “clean and independent” investigation to ensure that people behind the death of nine activists will be held accountable.
The Vice President likewise said Filipinos “deserve better than this murderous regime”.
Roque warned Robredo that she could face a case, if she fails to substantiate her claim about the “murder” of the activists.
“Kapag hindi siya nagbigay ng ebidensiya, kasalanan din po iyan. Baka siya ang makasuhan ‘no (If she fails to show evidence, that’s also a crime. She might be charged),” he said.
He lamented that Robredo once again made a false accusation.
“So kung anuman ang conclusion ni Vice President Robredo, kung wala siya doon sa mga pangyayaring ‘yun, as usual, laging mali ang ating Vice President (So whatever conclusion Vice President Robredo has, if she did not witness the incident, as usual, the Vice President is always wrong),” Roque said.
At least nine were killed after the Philippine National Police (PNP) conducted separate operations in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Rizal.
Six died in Rizal province, two in Batangas, and one in Cavite, according to police report. Meantime, six people were arrested, three each in Laguna and Rizal.
The Department of Justice-led panel on extrajudicial killings is currently investigating the death of the nine activists.
The Commission on Human Rights also announced that it will investigate the incident.
Roque advised Robredo to just wait for the investigations to conclude before making a statement.
“Kung hindi niya nakita ang pangyayari, gaya ng Presidente at gaya ng sambayanang Pilipino, mag-antay ng resulta ng imbestigasyon dahil, naku, abogado pa naman po tayo pare-pareho ‘no (If she’s unable to witness the incident, like the President and the Filipino people, just await the result of the investigation, especially since we are lawyers). It’s an issue of fact,” he said.
Add'l paras to orig story: Prove death of 9 activists is ‘massacre,’ Palace dares Robredo
Baseless accusations
The PNP has also cried foul over accusations against last weekend's police operations in Calabarzon.
“The allegations of "nanlaban" and “planted evidence” are baseless and unfounded. These only serve to undermine the wisdom of the courts and the legitimacy of police operations,” PNP spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Ildebrandi Usana said in a press statement.
Usana stressed that the Police Regional Office 4A (Calabarzon) complied with the standard legal procedures in applying for search warrants before the courts.
He said the charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives were sufficiently supported by evidence which served as the basis for the issuance of search warrants and not on mere membership or affiliation with any organization.
“Our police operatives were briefed to exert all possible means to peacefully serve the search warrants. They are, however, trained to defend themselves against any unlawful aggression,” he added.
Usana said the PNP Internal Affairs Service will conduct a motu proprio investigation over the conduct of the police operations. (with report from Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
