THE Police Regional Office (PRO)-Western Visayas are probing some cops who allegedly have connections to a police officer from Negros Occidental who was killed in a drug bust in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte.
Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, director of PRO-Western Visayas, said they have identified some policemen but he refused to identify them as they are still validating the reports.
"We also need to do police operations," he added.
On November 5, Superintendent Santiago Rapiz died in a police operation in front of Andres Bonifacio College gymnasium after he resisted arrest. The operation was conducted by operatives of the Counter-Intelligence Task Force (CITF) of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and PRO-Western Visayas.
READ: Ex-Bacolod cop killed in drug bust
Authorities said Rapiz was tagged as involved in illegal drugs after his name was mentioned by several high-value targets (HVTs) previously arrested by the PDEA. This was also why he was included in the drugs watch list of President Rodrigo Duterte.
READ: Another 'narco-cop' killed in drug bust
Bulalacao said they are now validating reports that Rapiz was reportedly supporting the left organization while he was assigned as police chief in Escalante City, Negros Occidental.
"He's sleeping with the enemies," he added.
Aside from their close monitoring on Rapiz's alleged "cohorts," Bulalacao said they will also be conducting further investigation on other policemen who have reportedly been involved in illegal drugs as part of their internal cleansing efforts.
"I do not want to have a personnel involved in illegal drugs. I do not want it. I do not like it. I want to get rid of them," Bulalacao said.
He said those who will be proved to be engaging in the illegal drug trade will be subject to a case build-up and police operation.
When asked if "narco-cops" will have the same fate as Rapiz, Bulalacao said he still believes in due process and principle of human rights.
"But if they will put up a fight against us, we will definitely protect ourselves," Bulalacao said. (GYM)