MANILA, Philippines - “Enablers of evil deeds” was how Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV described yesterday the “apologists” of President Duterte in the Senate.
If it were still the Japanese occupation era, Trillanes said they could be called collaborators.
An outspoken critic of the President, Trillanes said the mistakes Duterte makes continue to pile up and no one around him is speaking out.
Trillanes cited the killings of suspected drug offenders, which continue to increase and have drawn the attention of the international community.
He said the President has not done anything to put a stop to this and, in fact, could be seen as encouraging the killings.
“The fact that you announce a policy to kill them (drug offenders) then they end up dead, you are responsible and accountable for that and will be made to answer for these at the proper time,” Trillanes said during a forum held at the Senate yesterday.
Duterte has been critical of the Philippines’ long-time ally the United States for speaking out against the killings and possible human rights violations and has threatened to cut ties with the super power and shift to China and Russia as its new partners.
Instead of advising the President to do something about the negative effects of his policies, Trillanes lamented his Cabinet officials and allies in Congress who have become apologists of the President.
“You can see who they are. I would understand if they are just being quiet and observing the situation, but to be an apologist, that is another level. Either you are pandering, afraid of being targeted or worse, you actually believe that what he is doing is right,” he said.