PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte was mulling to boot out of the police force around 90 men who have allegedly been in connivance with crime syndicates in the country.
During the birthday celebration of Senator Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao Sunday, December 17, Duterte vehemently warned alleged rogue policemen to vacate their respective posts, or else, he will be forced to remove them from office.
The President, however, did not divulge the names of the policemen, whom he referred to as "gangsters."
"On Wednesday, around three superintendents, about 90 -- perhaps minimum of 60 policemen, get out of the PNP. I am starting the purging and don't get insulted if you are not affected," he said in a speech delivered during Pacquiao's birthday bash.
"I'm just warning these corrupt policemen, I will really go after you. You know why? You gangsters who are in the police force or in the government, I'm somehow afraid that if you're gone from the service, you will use your gun then you start to bed with gangsters," he added.
It has been Duterte's habit to get rid of individuals working in government, once he learns that they are either not performing or involved in corruption.
On October 5, Duterte ordered the dismissal of former National Capital Region Police Office Chief Joel Pagdilao and former Quezon City Police District director Chief Superintendent Edgardo Tinio over their supposed drug links.
The President maintained that he would not allow anyone, including policemen, to use their job in committing crimes, such as being involved in robbery and illicit drugs trade.
"You have been used to perpetrate crimes. You will be removed because of that. You will lose your job. That's your fault," he said.
"Do not let us pay for your wrongdoings. It is not fair. You will lose your job. You're a policeman and yet, you will hold up (a person), get involved in drugs. I said there will be no corruption (and) drugs. If you destroy my country, I will destroy you. And every government has the right to preserve its people and also to preserve only one Republic of the Philippines. I will never allow any (crimes to harm the Filipino people)," Duterte added. (SunStar Philippines)