PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Guillermo Eleazar on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, ordered an investigation on the nine police generals who are allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.
President Rodrigo Duterte mentioned the nine generals during his State of the Nation Address on July 26. He did not identify them nor did he give additional details.
“Iimbestigahan nating mabuti ang bagay na ito. Aalamin at tutukuyin natin ang matataas na opisyal sa PNP na sinasabing sangkot sa iligal na droga,” Eleazar said in a message sent to reporters.
“Uulitin ko, walang puwang ang organisasyon para sa mga tiwaling pulis, lalo na ang sangkot sa iligal na droga,” he added.
In 2016, Duterte identified five retired police generals namely Marcelo Garbo, Vicente Loot, Joel Pagdilao, Edgardo Tinio and Bernardo Diaz as protectors of the illegal drug trade.
The Department of Justice (DOJ), which launched an investigation, has yet to release the results of its investigation.
Duterte mentioned the nine generals when he said he did not think he would be fighting his own government when he launched the war on drugs in 2016.
"Because we are fighting a drug war that was being participated in the business by nine generals of the PNP. I did not know that I was fighting my own government,” he said. (SunStar Philippines)