Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno responded on Senator Leila De Lima’s statement, warning him about the possible human rights violation he committed because of presenting suspected lawbreakers in media.
During a press conference, Moreno insisted that he’s doing what is right and denied that he’s parading the suspects for publicity.
“Una walang parada, ang parada ho ay sa Luneta… hindi naman ho sila pinaparada. I respect her views… she’s entitled to it any citizens of the country you’re entitled to your opinion,” Moreno said.
“But for the meantime, me being a Mayor of Manila I have my obligation to keep Manila clear of lawbreakers because we owe it to the people of Manila,” he added.
Moreno explained that the suspects are already shameless so it’s useless to shame them in public.
He said that he’s only presenting the suspects to the public so the people would know that they’re doing their best to catch the lawbreakers alive.
The Mayor also vowed that he would prioritize the human rights of the innocent civilians who only wanted to be safe.
“Nahihiya ba kayo sa ginagawa nila? Kung kayo ang magulang nito? Eh sila hindi nahihiya eh, kita niyo nga inaalagaan ko pa yung pagkakakilanlan nila sa mata ng publiko, pero kailangan makita ng taga Maynila na may warm body,” he said.
“Puwede tayong usapang laway lang pero kung nakikita niyo talaga, hindi ba ito magbibigay ng kapanatagan ng inyong kalooban? Hindi ba ito patunay na seryoso ang Lungsod ng Maynila? Violation of human rights eh paano yung human rights ng gusto matulog ng mahimbing? diba may human rights din naman kayo?” he added.
He mentioned again that the police also have the right to defend themselves if the suspects try to resist them.
“Kung kayo ay malalagay sa alanganin at mahal niyo pa ang inyong buhay ay maipagtatangol niyo naman ang inyong sarili habang pinapatupad ninyo ang batas,” he said.
“So balancing lang yan, hindi po ito popularity contest. This is [about] keeping our city clean of bad elements, basta po kami nakikisuyo lang po kami sa kanila… kami po ay kailangan ng tulong sa Maynila, sana ay tulungan nalang nila kami sa Maynila dahil mamamayan din naman kami ng bansa,” he also said.
De Lima, in a statement, suggested to Moreno to avoid stop “parading” the suspects in front of media because they have the right to presumption of innocence.
“Pinapaalala lang natin sa kanya na ang pagparada ng suspect ay labag sa batas sa karapatang pantao,” said De Lima.