September 1, 2024 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — A priest known for helping the kin of victims of extrajudicial killings appealed to controversial police official Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido to continue exposing the anomalies in the war on drugs during the Duterte administration.
Fr. Flavie Villanueva, founder of Program Paghilom, called on Espenido to “declare whatever wrong you have done because you followed the corrupt. You can still give justice to the drug war victims.”
In an interview over Radio Veritas, Villanueva said police officers should not let the Philippine National Police (PNP) be proven as the “biggest crime group” – as Espenido described – that only follows orders from officials of the previous administration.
Villanueva also said the statements of Espenido and other cops could be vital in unraveling the execution of the war on drugs by former president Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa, who was then PNP chief.
During a House hearing, Espenido confirmed the reward and quota system during the war on drugs, and that “neutralizing” illegal drugs also meant killing persons involved in the illegal drug trade.
He added the testimonies of Espenido and others were proof that the truth was already coming out in the open, which police officers involved should take advantage of.
Villanueva’s Program Paghilom has helped an estimated 300 families of victims of the war on drugs through various programs, including the establishment of a memorial site for the victims at the La Loma Cemetery in Quezon City.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police Academy Alumni Association Inc. has expressed concern over Espenido’s declaration that the PNP is the biggest crime group in the country.
The 7,637-strong PNPA alumni said Espenido’s broad and generalized accusation not only tarnished the police force’s reputation but also undermined the dedication of thousands of police officers who are working to serve and protect the public. – Emmanuel Tupas
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