MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte will fire about 90 policemen over corruption as he stressed that he would not tolerate “gangsters” in government.
Duterte said the dismissal of the policemen is part of a “purging” at the Philippine National Police (PNP), which he once described as “corrupt to the core.”
“(On Wednesday), about three superintendents, about 90, perhaps a minimum of 60 policemen, you leave the PNP,” the President said during the birthday celebration of Sen. Manny Pacquiao at the KCC Mall in General Santos City last Sunday.
“I am starting the purging and do not be insulted if you are not affected. Do not be angry because I have been angry about it,” he added.
Duterte vowed to “destroy” the scalawags in uniform who are using their posts to commit wrongdoing.
“I’m just warning the policemen who are corrupt – it could be the mayor’s office or it could be – I will really run after you, I will watch you closely,” the President said.
“You know why? You gangsters in the police and the government, I somehow fear that once you are no longer in the service, you have your guns, then you start to bed, sleep with the gangster,” he added.
Duterte also said it is not fair that rogue policemen are receiving salaries from the government while engaging in illicit activities.
“Do not waste the money of the people because it’s not ours. If your business in government is not doing well, leave,” he said. “I said no corruption. You will destroy my nation. I will destroy you.”
Duterte’s announcement came two weeks after he brought back the PNP to his crackdown on narcotics supposedly to quell the rising criminal incidents involving drug addicts.
The PNP was barred from joining anti-drug raids last October following the death of two teenage suspects at the hands of Caloocan policemen.