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| Senator Leila De Lima / photo file from Philstar |
Manila, Philippines – Detained senator Leila de Lima
has condemned the death of a six-year old boy who was caught in an alleged
shootout between a policeman and a drug suspect in Caloocan City last April 29.
According to a report by Manila Bulletin, Gian Habal, Grade
1 student, was playing outside his house in Camarin, Caloocan where he was hit
by a stray bullet in the head.
The incident happened when Corporal Rocky delos Reyes was
exchanging fire with the a drug suspect whom he identified as a certain
“Botchok.”
De Lima said the children should “never pay” the price for
the Duterte administration’s war on drugs which she said that targeted only the
poor and defenseless.
“Isa na namang inosenteng bata ang napatay at tuluyang
pinagkaitan ng kinabukasan at pagkakataon na matupad ang mga pangarap sa
buhay,” De Lima said in a statement
“Gian’s tragedy is just part of the many children who were
killed in this kind of bloody incident,” the former justice secretary said
De Lima stressed that the government should put an end to
its anti-narcotics campaign which continues to promote the culture of
violence.
“I have repeatedly said that the attempt to bring suspected
offenders to justice should not be at the expense of precious human lives,” De
Lima said
“This should serve as a reminder to the entire police force
to know the proper response in every life-threatening situation to avoid
putting innocent lives at risk,” she added.
Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General
Oscar Albayalde earlier stated that .45 caliber pistol of Delos Reyes
would undergo ballistic examination to confirm whether the bullet that hit Habal
was indeed fired from the policeman’s firearms.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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