Palace Says It’s Open To Ending Duterte’s Oplan Tokhang
PALACE – The Malacañang Palace said that it would be open to ending President Duterte’s “Oplang Tokhang” if Vice President Leni Robredo has a better alternative to deal with illegal drugs.
Adding to this, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo told Robredo she would have “free rein”. He also said that Duterte would give her “everything” she needed for her drug war.
Robredo had always been vocal about having a peaceful approach when it comes to addressing illegal drugs. She wanted her campaign to not involve killing drug suspects.
On Monday, Panelo stated that as long as VP Leni is in charge, they would oblige to do whatever it is she wants to get enforced. But, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano criticized Robredo that Tokhang was turning into All-Talk.
Based on an article from Inquirer, Panelo was asked if Robredo needed approval from Duterte before making changes with the campaign. Panelo said “Not approval”.
With this, the spokesperson emphasized that the President is always open to consultation with every member of the cabinet. He also said that Robredo doesn’t need an invitation to attend Cabinet meetings.
The Spokesperson also said that the Palace would defer the new drug czar if she wanted to meet with the US and United Nations officials for talks about the anti-drug campaign.
He said that if Robredo wants to ask help from America in the drug war, she definitely could. However, he stressed that allowing foreign investigators who made their minds up about the drug war to investigate the government is a different matter.
Panelo added that Duterte doesn’t like how the international body has made conclusions before coming into the country. He wants them to be open-minded and objective and not conclude that we are a murderous state.
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