MISAMIS Oriental Governor Yevgeny Emano said he will support the killings of suspected drug personalities in the province as long as it is a legitimate police operation.
On Monday, May 8, Governor Emano said he will not meddle or interfere in legitimate police operations even if it causes numerous deaths of suspects in the province.
Emano issued this statement in the wake of the government’s renewed
drive against narcotics under Oplan: Double Barrel Reloaded, a revamped version in the government’s war on drugs.
At least three suspected drug personalities were killed by authorities in Villanueva and Naawan towns, while two others were executed by unidentified men on motorcycles in nearby municipality of Tagoloan which is the hometown of the governor.
But Emano instead said he will support the law enforcers in their efforts to curb the menace of prohibited drugs.
“Ang ingon sa police nanukol mao nakabsan (The police said it tried to fight back) and those were legitimate operations,” Emano said.
Even this, Emano made an effort to visit the wakes of the two drug suspects killed by the operatives in Villanueva.
The slain suspects identified as Jessie Borres and Michael Cabale were residents of Tagoloan. They died after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds when they allegedly fought back.
Still, Emano suggests that drug suspects slain by unidentified assailants need to be thoroughly investigated by the police.
“Nibisita ko sa ila (I visited their homes) and I told them when it is drugs I am sorry I will not get involve and during the report of Superintendent Alvarez I understand it was a legitimate operation,” Emano said.
In Cagayan de Oro City, the city police office recorded 394 arrests against drug suspects in 223 operations from March to April, this year.
The data from the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office showed only one fatality.
