Duterte: Manila police 'a perennial pain in the a**'
February 26, 2018 | 7:55pm
Photo shows Metro Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde with 10 officers who were suspended for involvement in a mistaken identity shooting in Mandaluyong in January. Boy Santos, File
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday described as a "perennial pain in the a**" the police forces in Manila, saying many of them are stubborn.
Duterte said while the Philippine National Police has gained some respect from the public, the momentum could not be sustained because of rogue law enforcers.
"Do not be offended, but I'm okay with the Armed Forces. But I have a problem with the PNP and it has not begin today nor yesterday. It has been a perennial pain in the a** ever since. But it's only in Manila," the president said during the inauguration of an Armscor shooting range in Davao City.
It is not clear whether he was referring to the Manila Police District or the larger National Capital Region Police Office that operates in Metro Manila.
"There seems to be a breakdown there. I don't know what causes them to be derelicts. But the problem is the perception, although it has gained the traction of respect from the Filipino people, the momentum cannot be sustained because every now and then, may mga pulis na talagang matigas (there are hard-headed policemen)," he added.
Duterte did not say what prompted him to issue the statement but the president has been warning police officers that he would not tolerate "gangsters" in the service.
Last December, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte would dismiss about 90 policemen over corruption. He has also promised to purge the PNP, which he once described as one of the most corrupt agencies in government.
"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 in an earlier speech.
"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.
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