Chel Diokno slams authorities for hunting down Duterte’s critics: “Hindi trabaho ng PNP protektahan ang Pangulo sa opinyon ng taumbayan”

Human Rights lawyer Chel Diokno criticized the Philippine National Police (PNP) for detaining a salesman who called President Rodrigo Duterte ‘buang’ or crazy on social media.

In a series of tweets, Diokno said that PNP should not focus on hunting down the critics of Duterte because it’s not their job to protect the President from the opinion of the public.

Diokno pointed out that even Duterte cursed the pope, public officials, and other people.

“Pano aarestuhin ng PNP itong salesman na minura ang Pangulo kung Pangulo nga mismo e minura ang senador, Santo Papa, ang Simbahan, at napakarami pang iba? Hindi trabaho ng PNP protektahan ang Pangulo sa opinyon ng taumbayan. Ang trabaho nyo e protektahan ang taumbayan,” Diokno said.

According to them, the authorities don’t have the right to put individuals under their custody because of posting libelous statements against the President.

Photo: @ChelDiokno Twitter page

Diokno said that only ‘judges’ should decide whether an individual should be detained for libel or not.

Followers of Diokno thanked the lawyer for criticizing the move of the law enforcers, saying that they’re afraid of what’s happening to the critics of the President.

“Sir Diokno, maraming salamat po sa pagtanggol! Bilang isang simpleng mamamayan, hindi ko ho maiwasan na matakot sa ganitong panahon, na kahit sino pwe-pwede nang damputin. Siguro ho ganito narin ang nararamdaman ng karamihan kaya mabuti ho andyan kayo,” @goodguyjosephh said.

“Matagal na pong hindi kapakanan at seguridad ng taong-bayan ang inaasikaso ng PNP. Marami akong kakilala na ang turo sa mga anak nila ay last resort ang pulis kung kailangan nila ng tulong dahil ang pulis sa Pilipinas hindi mapagkakatiwalaan,” netizen @retromaldita remarked.

On Wednesday, salesman Reynaldo Orcullo, 41, a resident of Brgy Triangulo, Nasipit town, Agusan del Norte was caught by the members of the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (RACU) 13.

The salesman allegedly called President Duterte ‘crazy’ and also mentioned Senator Christopher “Bong” Go.

READ MORE: Salesman in Mindanao facing cybercrime charges for calling President Duterte ‘buang’

Before Orcullo, several individuals including a teacher from Zambales were also put by the authorities under their custody because of their post against President Duterte.

READ MORE: Man who puts P50-M bounty on President Duterte’s head caught by members of NBI: “Marami pa po akong pangarap,”

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque already said that the people caught have the chance to prove that they’re innocent.

“Kung merong prima facie case for any case, kasuhan siya at mabibigyan naman po siya ng pagkakataon na patunayang hindi siya nagkasala sa ating hukuman sa takdang panahon,” Roque said.

 

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