President Duterte has dissolved all anti-drugs units of the Philippine National Police (PNP) as he vowed to purge the organization of corrupt police officers.
In response to Duterte’s move, PNP Director General Ronald Dela Rosa ordered yesterday all police units to stop anti-illegal drugs operations nationwide so the police force can focus on internal cleansing.
The government’s move came following the involvement of high-ranking PNP officials in the abduction of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo and his killing inside Camp Crame last October, 2016.
According to Duterte, the “sordid incident” left him with no choice but to reorganize the organization and implement “severe corrections” in the system.
“Ang kalaban ko dito mga pulis na criminal,” he said.
Duterte said he will create a “narco police” command under the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to weed out police involved in illegal drugs.
Duterte held a command conference with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the PNP Sunday night before announcing his decisions during a late night press conference at Malacañang Palace.
Dela Rosa immediately implemented Duterte’s directive.
“We have to focus our efforts towards internal cleansing. And by the time na ma-cleanse natin ang PNP, the President will determine that and he will instruct us to go back on the war on drugs. But right now, no more drug operations,” he said.
On Saturday, Dela Rosa has offered to resign as chief of the PNP over the kidnap-slay of Jee. However, Duterte rejected his resignation, saying it will contribute nothing to the progress of the case and that police scalawags will continue with or without Dela Rosa.
“Jee’s murder is an injustice, but to ask for the head of the PNP chief, there’s no rhyme or reason for that. Even if you say chain of command,” he said.
According to Dela Rosa, he offered to resign because he wanted Duterte to have a free hand to choose someone who can do the job as expected.
“I don’t want to belabor the President for whatever misdeeds that the PNP has done. I don’t want to add more embarrassment to the country,” he said.
On the other hand, Duterte instructed Dela Rosa to come up with a list of police officers with criminal records and those who were reinstated after facing charges.
“Basta ‘yang na-reinstate. Naka-kidnap na, nag-holdup na ang mga [expletive] tapos may sweldo pa. Sinuswerte kayo kung ganun. You are just as lousy as the drug lords,” he said.
According to Duterte, he will also create a special unit which will keep track of police officers who were kicked out of office.
“Lahat ng may kaso na pulis na mga murder na previously ipa-ano mo, bigyan mo ako ng isang linya, ako na ang bahala sa kanila,” he ordered Dela Rosa.
Duterte said he is planning to send these tainted police officers to the frontline of the government’s offensive against terrorists in Mindanao.
“I would like to establish control in Basilan and Jolo. In Lanao there’s a fight going on. Doon muna sila mag-duty. Basta ‘yung may mga kaso lahat,” he said.
EXTENDED DRUG WAR
Due to the overhaul in the PNP, Duterte decided to continue his drug war until the end of his term, instead of the initial six-month extended deadline which is supposed to be in March 2017.
Duterte admitted of being overconfident in setting his original six-month deadline because he did not realize the depth of the illegal drug activities in the country.
SENATE PROBE SUSPENDED
Meanwhile, the Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee suspended its scheduled Thursday hearing on ‘’tokhang for ransom’’ incidents following the government’s announcement that it is focusing its attention on rogue policemen in its restructured war against illegal drugs.
Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson, committee chairman, said it would be wise that the Senate wait and see how the major changes in the anti-drug war would work out. (ARGYLL CYRUS B. GEDUCOS)
