EDITORIAL – The virtue of prudence

From Wednesday night until yesterday morning, police killed six drug suspects in Bulacan. In recent weeks, several drug-related deaths have been reported almost daily in different parts of the country. On Friday last week, nine drug suspects, including one described as a high-value target, were killed in what a combined police and military raiding team described as an encounter in Matalam, North Cotabato.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front claimed the nine were its members and protested the killings. The incident did not stop the two chambers of Congress from approving the Bangsamoro Basic Law – a step toward a peace agreement with the MILF. But the protest filed by the separatist group over the killings should remind law enforcers about the virtues of prudence when neutralizing drug targets. Even if lawmen are sure that they have the right suspects, it is always useful to present proof that shooting to kill is justified.

President Duterte promised during his election campaign to crack down on drug dealers and other criminals. Voters embraced him and looked the other way as he fulfilled his promise with zeal following his victory. Since then, however, the Philippine National Police has been pulled out twice from the war on drugs because of abuses and gross violations of human rights. Surveys indicated slipping public support for the brutal conduct of the war.

As provided by law, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency is now taking the lead in the campaign against illegal drugs. Both the PDEA and PNP must not forget the lessons imparted in the recent past in the conduct of the war. Public support is indispensable in any campaign against criminality. That support can be eroded by perceptions that law enforcers are abusing the power of the state to neutralize threats to public safety.