PNP spokesman: ‘Drug-linked cops add to negative police image’

MANILA, Philippines — Reports of police scalawags involved in illegal drugs might have contributed to the negative public perception of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In an interview over The Chiefs on Cignal TV’s One News on Monday, PNP spokesman Col. Bernard Banac said policemen implicated in drug-related cases could have swayed public perception on the PNP and the government’s war on illegal drugs.

He cited as example a mandatory drug testing of their personnel where 322 police officers were found positive for drug use, resulting in their dismissal from the service.

“This is a shameful act for them to be involved in illegal drugs and they have no space in the organization,” Banac said.

Another factor is the arrest of policemen involved in other illegal activities, including the summary execution of suspected drug pushers and users.

Among these cases is that of 17-year-old Kian Loyd delos Santos who died at the hands of lawmen who arrested the victim in Caloocan City.

Three police officers involved in Delos Santos’ killing were later found guilty of murder.

“These are some of the reasons why we understand some people are distrustful, but we assure the public that this is not the police of the PNP,” Banac said.

A recent survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS) said 28 percent of Filipinos do not believe the official version of the police that drug suspects killed in police operations fought back.

PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde on Monday took a swipe at the SWS for another survey that found 78 percent of Filipinos are worried that they or someone they know would become victims of extrajudicial killings.

Albayalde said it seemed the results of the survey project that extrajudicial killings are rampant in the country.

“It bothers us in a way because it appears that we are trying to condition the minds of our people that extrajudicial killings occur often,” he said.

Banac insists a majority of the 192,000-strong PNP adheres to the country’s laws and protection of human rights.

“We always adhere to the rules of engagement, rule of law, human rights and value of life,” he said.