PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the investigation launched against police officials over their possible links to illegal drugs is set to finish within two weeks.
During the 1st Joint National Peace and Order Council and Regional Peace and Order Council meeting in Malacañang on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, Marcos vowed the administration’s relentless fight against the proliferation of illegal drugs.
He said they are taking extra precaution in determining cops with drug links.
“It’s a very complicated system, and it’s a very complicated situation. Hindi naman tayo puwedeng umaksyon on the basis ng tsismis. We cannot move on that basis. We have to be very careful because we have to [be] fair. It has to be just,” said Marcos.
The review stemmed from the call of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. for full-fledged colonels and generals to file their courtesy resignation in a bid to cleanse the rank of the police.
The call stemmed from the arrest of Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo, which, according to Abalos, uncovered the involvement of several police officials in the illegal drug trade.
The President said he has nothing against the PNP, which is currently on bad light amid issues concerning the alleged “massive cover-up” of a drug operation in Manila City that resulted in the seizure of the biggest drug haul in the country and the arrest Mayo, noting that it is the administration’s partner in peace and order.
But he called on PNP members to work with his administration, stressing he has an obligation to address the drug trade problem and ensure a credible and well-functioning police force in the country.
“The police have to be with us. They have to be on our side. We cannot do it without them. Ganun lang kasimple ‘yun. We have to have a good functioning police force,” said Marcos.
“Now, but there should be also a mechanism where those who have succumbed to temptation must be brought to account para naman mabuwag natin ang mga ganyang klaseng sistema,” he added.
Aside from illegal drugs, Marcos also ordered the council to address the rise in political violence and violence stemming from competition among drug syndicates in a bid to avoid being mired in violence and disarray like what happened in other countries.
“We have seen it happening in other countries around the world. Huwag tayong... huwag nating pabayaang mapunta ang Pilipinas doon sa ganung klaseng sitwasyon. Bakit? That’s when governments fail, that when nations fail, and wala na tayong maaasahan,” he said.
(We have seen it happening in other countries around the world. Let's not let the Philippines end up in that kind of situation. Why? That's when governments fail, that's when nations fail, and we have no hope.) (SunStar Philippines)