MANILA, Philippines —Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima on Friday called for a thorough investigation into reported cases of violence and abuse involving Quezon City’s disbanded Task Force Disiplina, stressing that killing should never be used as a means of enforcing discipline.
De Lima welcomed Mayor Joy Belmonte’s decision to disband the task force following the fatal shooting of three teenagers, including a minor, allegedly by one of its members in Barangay Batasan Hills on October 12.
She warned against giving authority to officials with no discipline and still under “utak-Tokhang” mindset, referring to Oplan Tokhang, the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign that was linked to allegations of extrajudicial killings and other human rights abuses.
“Killing should never be a means of disciplining people,” said the senior deputy minority leader of the House of Representatives.
She urged authorities to investigate not only the fatal shooting but also other reported cases of violence and abuse involving the disbanded unit.
De Lima also extended her condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones, calling for continued scrutiny of the case until justice is served.
