Duterte: 'EJKs' my only sin | ABS-CBN

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Duterte: 'EJKs' my only sin
Duterte: 'EJKs' my only sin
Dharel Placido,
ABS-CBN News
Published Sep 27, 2018 07:17 PM PHT
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Updated Sep 28, 2018 09:37 AM PHT

MANILA (UPDATED) - President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said his “only sin” was “extra-judicial killings" (EJKs), which refers to not legally sanctioned executions being linked to the government’s war on drugs.
MANILA (UPDATED) - President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said his “only sin” was “extra-judicial killings" (EJKs), which refers to not legally sanctioned executions being linked to the government’s war on drugs.
“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,” Duterte said in a speech in Malacañang.
“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,” Duterte said in a speech in Malacañang.
Duterte did not expound what he meant, which was said in the context of him slamming opposition Senator Francis Pangilinan for crafting a law that raised the minimum age of criminal responsibility.
Duterte did not expound what he meant, which was said in the context of him slamming opposition Senator Francis Pangilinan for crafting a law that raised the minimum age of criminal responsibility.
He then assailed International Criminal Court (ICC) officials for taking a complaint against him for killings linked to his war on drugs.
He then assailed International Criminal Court (ICC) officials for taking a complaint against him for killings linked to his war on drugs.
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The President, in previous speeches, had acknowledged the existence of extra-judicial killings, but he had insisted these were not state-sponsored.
The President, in previous speeches, had acknowledged the existence of extra-judicial killings, but he had insisted these were not state-sponsored.
In his speech today, he also acknowledged that some so-called “ninja cops” are behind these killings.
In his speech today, he also acknowledged that some so-called “ninja cops” are behind these killings.
“It’s an organized crime, really,” he said.
“It’s an organized crime, really,” he said.
At least 4,854 drug suspects have been killed in police anti-drug operations, but human rights groups and government critics say this figure is understated.
At least 4,854 drug suspects have been killed in police anti-drug operations, but human rights groups and government critics say this figure is understated.
They suspect that killings carried out by so-called “vigilante groups” were also state-sponsored, citing cases where some policemen were caught in illegitimate operations.
They suspect that killings carried out by so-called “vigilante groups” were also state-sponsored, citing cases where some policemen were caught in illegitimate operations.
'Confession'
Agnes Callamard, United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions, called Duterte's statement "extraordinary."
Agnes Callamard, United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions, called Duterte's statement "extraordinary."
"Extraordinary statement by a Head of State (and we have had many this week at the UN): my 'only' sin is #EJK. Translation: my only sin is imposing unthinkable sufferings on 1000s of vulnerable families, emboldening corrupt policing, destroying rule of law," she said.
"Extraordinary statement by a Head of State (and we have had many this week at the UN): my 'only' sin is #EJK. Translation: my only sin is imposing unthinkable sufferings on 1000s of vulnerable families, emboldening corrupt policing, destroying rule of law," she said.
Former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, in a tweet, also called the attention of the ICC regarding Duterte's statement.
Former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, in a tweet, also called the attention of the ICC regarding Duterte's statement.
"Here's the President of the Republic of the Philippines, making a public admission of crimes under your jurisdiction. Please act ASAP.
Thank you," he said.
"Here's the President of the Republic of the Philippines, making a public admission of crimes under your jurisdiction. Please act ASAP.
Thank you," he said.
Lawyer Edwin Lacierda, former spokesperson of then President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, said Duterte's statement is a confession.
Lawyer Edwin Lacierda, former spokesperson of then President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, said Duterte's statement is a confession.
"An acquaintance who practices international human rights abroad once remarked to me that PH is the only country where the president & his ministers practically admit to killings. To him, It makes the work of the ICC easier. This is one such confession," Lacierda said in a tweet.
"An acquaintance who practices international human rights abroad once remarked to me that PH is the only country where the president & his ministers practically admit to killings. To him, It makes the work of the ICC easier. This is one such confession," Lacierda said in a tweet.
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