Duterte claims that his only sin is EJK; Roque and Panelo come to his defense

• President Rodrigo Duterte said that his only sins are the extrajudicial killings.
• Harry Roque and Salvdor Panelo rushed to his defense.

On Thursday, September 27, President Rodrigo Duterte stated that his only sins are the extrajudicial killings.

In a speech in Malacañang, he asked everyone about their sins before making the remark.

“Ako, I will talk to a political exercise now. What are your sins? Ako? Sabi ko nga sa military, ano kasalanan ko? Nagnakaw ba ako dyan ni piso? Did I prosecute na pinakulong ko? Ang kasalanan ko lang, yung mga extra-judicial killings.”

Around 4,854 alleged drug suspects have been killed in the police’s anti-drug operations.

A few days ago, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV stated that the President will also go through the process of bailing for an arrest as there will come a time that he will pay for his sins.

“Kung maililigpit mo man ako, meron at merong papalit sa akin, at sa dakong huli ikaw rin ay matatalo at haharapin mo ‘yung mga kasalanang ginawa mo.”

Palace and Panelo defend.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque immediately defended President Duterte’s words, saying that he was “not serious” about what he said.

“Alam mo naman si Presidente, ano. Hindi na naman iyan seryoso ‘no… I don’t think na ang konteksto niyan ay literal.”

On the other hand, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said that the statement was just misinterpreted.

“Ang sinasabi niya lang, iyan lang ang issue niyo sa akin, EJK. Ang isyu niyo lang sakin bilang presidente ng bansa ay extrajudicial killing.

“It’s a matter of language. He’s a Visayan, he’s not a Manileño, he’s not Tagalog.”

Panelo added that the misinterpretation is a way for the critics to “put [Duterte] in bad light.”

“You have to take everything in context in reference to his previous statements, in reference to his SONA speech.

“He said he declares war [on drugs], but there will be hell to pay for abusive police officers.

“They’ll be using everything and anything that will put him in bad light. That is the job of critics, that is the job of detractors.”