Editorial: PNP in bad light

The drug war from 2016 to 2022 has resulted in the arrests and deaths of suspected pushers and “rogue” members of law enforcement agencies. Despite its brutal nature, the problem of illegal drugs still persists today.

Authorities have launched drug busts on a regular basis, seizing mostly shabu, which is the rampant illegal drug in the Philippines.

Last Sunday, Oct. 9, the Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested one of its own officers in an anti-illegal drug operation in Quiapo, Manila and seized two kilos of shabu worth P13.6 million from him.

What’s ironic though is that the police officer, identified as Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr., was a member of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group’s Special Operations Unit in the National Capital Region. His arrest came after the capture of a civilian drug suspect, who squealed on him.

PNP Chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. has promised an investigation into Mayo’s network, and the suspect could have cohorts who are active police officers.

Azurin has said Mayo’s arrest is part of the organization’s internal cleansing, a term that originated during the time of Ronald dela Rosa (the first PNP chief during the Duterte administration who is now a senator) which means getting rid of police officers involved in illegal activities, including the drug trade.

Azurin’s move to report Mayo’s arrest to the public deserves praise, as it could mean his leadership is transparent. However, his move could also be premature as the investigation on Mayo’s possible network is not yet over.

The PNP chief must look into the possibility that someone higher in rank was directing Mayo’s alleged illegal activities.

The public also must wonder why there are still police officers who still engage in illegal activities even if former President Rodrigo Duterte had already increased their salary.

Are these law enforcers involved fueled by greed? Perhaps. Or perhaps, they could have been victims of their “rogue” superior.

How long will the internal cleansing last? Will it be a never-ending campaign against rogue police officers?

As long as there are police officers who break the law, the public could not fully trust the PNP as an organization.