175 erring cops dismissed in 6 months - Robredo

MANILA, Philippines - Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo disclosed yesterday that some 175 erring policemen, most of them implicated in drug-related cases, have been dismissed from the police service in the past six months.

Robredo, who is also concurrent chairman of the National Police Commission (Napolcom), said the dismissal of the policemen should serve as a warning to all policemen nationwide to shape up or ship out.

“The department does not tolerate cops who are either drug peddlers or drug users, or worse, those who protect illegal drug syndicates,” said Robredo, who noted such cops would automatically undergo summary dismissal proceedings.

Robredo also solicited the support of the mayors and members of the police and peace and order councils of Manila, Pasay, Caloocan, Pasig and Mandaluyong to get rid of scalawags in the Philippine National Police (PNP).

He directed the Napolcom to speed up the review of other grave misconduct cases against policemen.

Robredo has virtually clipped the powers of the Internal Affairs Service of the PNP by tasking the Napolcom to investigate other cases against policemen.

He said this is to erase any doubt that the public may have of police investigating fellow policemen.

While the DILG is strict against police scalawags, Robredo said the department, through the Napolcom, would provide legal aid to cops who are constantly being harassed with legal cases for doing their jobs.

He said that a P5-million fund has been set aside to provide qualified policemen with lawyers who will help them in fighting the cases filed against them.