Nearly 3,000 cops eyed as ‘scalawags’

MANILA, Philippines — Nearly 3,000 police officers suspected to be “scalawags” involved in nefarious activities will undergo an investigation, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the police officers shall undergo an adjudication process to determine if they are indeed involved in illegal activities.

“It’s an administrative process wherein they are investigated and validated by intelligence units,” she said in an interview over GMA News’ “Unang Hirit.”

Among the common illegal activities the police officers are involved in are illegal drug trade and extortion.

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. earlier ordered intensified intelligence monitoring and legal offensives against misfits within their ranks.

Fajardo said the PNP will not hesitate to file charges against police officers who are found to be corrupt, which could lead to their dismissal from service.

Meanwhile, officers and personnel of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) will undergo profiling and lifestyle checks every six months.

PDEG director Brig. Gen. Faro Antonio Olaguera said the regular conduct of profiling and lifestyle investigation is a measure to weed out misfits within their unit.

Olaguera said he is willing to set an example to the 1,304-strong PDEG by opening his bank records for examination.

There should be no issue on privacy as well, according to Olaguera as he explained that as public servants, police officers should be open to scrutiny.

“Public office is a public trust. For as long as you are a public officer, you are bound by that,” he added.