Duterte accuses PNP of being an illegal drug syndicate

FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte dared all members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday, June 12, 2023, to resign as he accused the agency of being a “syndicate” involved in the illegal drug operations in the country.

“Itong tonelada na in the hands of the police, control of the police, without a suspect until now, wala silang maituro, I think ang pulis mismo nasa droga na. Hindi lang yan sa proteksyon, o they are trying to cover up. Ang pulis mismo napasukan na. Sila na mismo ang sindikato, kaya wala na kayong maturo na iba kasi kayo na mismo, kayo na mismo ang pumasok jan. Wala silang masabi kasi sila mismo anjan na,” he said in the program “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” episode, which was aired on Tuesday, June 13.

(With this ton of illegal drugs in the hands of the police and without a suspect until now, I think the police themselves are already on drugs. It's not just about protection, or they are trying to cover up. The police are already involved. They are the syndicate themselves. They can't say anything because they are already involved.)

Duterte was referring to the 990 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) worth P6.7 billion that were recovered from then Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr. during a drug operation on October 8, 2022 in Manila.

On Tuesday, June 13, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. said 50 police personnel, including two police generals and a colonel, were charged before the Office of the Ombudsman over the irregularities in the operation.

Duterte, one of the brains behind the “bloody” drug war during his six-year in office, said the country has a “fractured” police force and that there is no longer any “redeeming factor,” noting that many of its members, including high ranking officials, were already involved in the illegal drug trade.

He said he does not believe that the intelligence of the police, as well as its leadership, is not aware of the involvement of the police in illegal drug transactions.

“Now what is the remedy? The remedy is to ask everybody to resign, lahat pati (all, including) patrolman, you resign... The Army would be too happy to take over. I suppose that is what should happen. Tabi muna kayong lahat. Maghintay kayo jan kayo sa tabi. Surrender your issued firearms within 24 hour as well as illegal firearms in your hand,” he added.

Duterte said also one of the best ways to deal with the erring police personnel is to kill them.

“The best way to deal with itong mga pulis na pumasok sa droga patayin na ninyo. Wag na ninyong intayin. Wag na ikorte korte yan. Patayin mo,” said Duterte.

(The best way to deal with these policemen who are involved in drugs is to kill them. Don't wait any longer. Don't judge. Kill them.)

In a statement, the PNP said its accomplishments and efforts were recognized and appreciated by eight out of 10 Filipinos, citing the recent survey conducted by the Octa research group where PNP achieved 80 percent trust and performance rating nationwide.

“A testament of the hard work and sacrifices of every policeman, pounding their beat while on patrol, scouring the mountains to hunt down terrorists, investigating heinous crimes to bring justice to the victims, assisting beleaguered families during natural calamities and doing other humanitarian works,” it said.

The national police agency noted that while there are a “minimal” number of police personnel who violated policies and laws, they do not tolerate any wrongdoings, noting that they have a “well-functioning” disciplinary mechanism to clean the ranks of the police.

From January 1, 2022 to June 7, 2023, 836 erring cops were dismissed from the service and 1,703 were suspended.

Among those dismissed during the period covered was Mayo.

The PNP also touted its effective and efficient anti-crime strategies and programs that continue to provide the public a “safe and peaceful” community and healthy economic environment to the business sector.

From January 1 to June 9, 2023, the country’s crime situation recorded a decrease of almost 10 percent of index crimes or focus crimes.

The PNP said during the same period, 19,464 anti-illegal drugs police operations were conducted, resulting in the arrest of 25,641 violators, and the confiscation of P6.2 billion worth of illegal drugs.

It also recorded a total of 31,956 arrested wanted persons. (SunStar Philippines)