Poe asks PNP: Release probe results on drug killings

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Grace Poe urged the leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to come out with the results of its investigations into drug-related killings, particularly those involving suspects already under police custody.

Unless the PNP is able to sufficiently explain these killings, Poe warned the public might lose their trust in the police.

Poe said she was willing to accept that some of the cases where the suspects supposedly tried to escape or grab the guns of the police while under their custody could be true.

Unless these are supported by the results of their investigations, Poe said there would always be some doubt in the minds of the public.

It is for this reason that Poe asked PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa to submit a copy of the results of the investigations conducted regarding these killings.

During the hearing of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs on Thursday, Dela Rosa reported there were 667 killings as a result of legitimate police operations recorded since President Duterte assumed office on June 30.

Another 899 killings were recorded, representing “found dead under investigation” cases or those allegedly perpetrated by vigilantes on members of drug syndicates.

Dela Rosa said only 22 of the cases have been filed so far and these were all in Metro Manila.

“While we support the campaign against the problem of illegal drugs, there should be measures that legal rights are respected, especially in cases where the suspects have already given up or surrendered,” Poe said.

“That is the problem. The suspect has surrendered or is taken into custody and yet they end up dead,” she said.

Poe believes most lawmen are clean but there are also scalawags who must be weeded out.

She said this is why she has been pushing for the appointment of a civilian as head of the PNP’s Internal Affairs Service (IAS) as provided for under the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act.

Poe said this has not been implemented.

Poe argued it would be difficult for an officer of the PNP to head the IAS as the body that would investigate its own people for alleged wrongdoing.

During last Thursday’s hearing, Dela Rosa assured Poe that a civilian would head the IAS soon.

Dela Rosa yesterday reminded the policemen of the marching orders of the President to spearhead the campaign against illegal drugs.

“This marching order is to wage a stronger war against crime, illegal drugs and corruption. We are wasting no time in doing our part. Never in the previous years have we waged such a relentless war against crime and illegal drugs and never in present history have we awakened such fervor among our men and women to risk lives to save our youth and the rest of our countrymen from the illegal drug dealings,” Dela Rosa said during the 115th Police Service Anniversary of the National Capital Region Police Office headquarters in Taguig City.

He described as “historic” the reduction of crime incidents due to the intensified campaign against illegal drugs.

Dela Rosa said the average crime volume since July 1 has dropped by 49 percent.

At the same time, Dela Rosa reminded policemen that the campaign against illegal drugs has just started.

He called on them to be steadfast oin their mission and to be strong against criticisms.

He also reminded them to perform their task in accordance with the law and with respect to human rights.

In Pangasinan, the regional police has formed a group to investigate the so-called “deaths under investigation” or summary killings of suspected drug offenders.

Acting provincial police director Sen. Supt. Ronald Lee said the cases include the killing of Rowena Tiamson, a college scholar in Dagupan City whose hogtied body was found in Manaoag, Pangasinan about four weeks ago.

He said the National Bureau of Investigation is also doing its probe on the murder of Tiamson, which case has reached the Senate.

Lee believed Tiamson was mistakenly killed.

He said they are not tolerating such killings. “Vigilante killings must not happen,” he added. – With Mike Frialde, Eva Visperas