TINITIYAK ng Palasyo na hindi kukunsintihin ni Pangulong Duterte ang police brutality kaugnay naman ng pagpatay sa 14 na magsasaka sa Negros Oriental.
Sa isang pahayag, sinabi ni Presidential Spokesperson at Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo na hinihintay lamang ng Pangulo ang resulta ng imbestigasyon kaugnay ng pangyayari.
“We assure the families of the fourteen farmers who died during the simultaneous police operations in Negros Oriental that President Duterte will not allow police brutality nor will he tolerate police abuse,” sabi ni Panelo.
Nauna nang inalmahan ng pamilya at iba’t ibang grupo ang nangyaring pagpatay sa mga magsasaka matapos na sabihin ng mga pulis na mga miyembro ng New People’s Army (NPA) ang mga napatay.
“The Palace is waiting for the official copy of the report on the investigation, which the Philippine National Police (PNP) is now currently doing with a team from its national headquarters now in Negros Oriental to start the probe,” dagdag ni Panelo.
Ayon sa mga kaanak ng mga biktima, pawang mga naka-bonnet ang mga pulis nang lumusob at pinagbabaril ang mga magsasaka.
“There is a presumption of regularity on the police action as the operations were backed by search warrants. The families, however, can always file criminal charges against the police officers, and they should if the circumstances warrant, as this is the proper and legal recourse available to them,” giit naman ni Panelo.