Duterte to name ‘ninja’ cops

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte will soon divulge the names of ranking officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) allegedly involved in the recycling and sale of drugs seized from drug traffickers, Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go said yesterday.

Go made the announcement a few hours before the Senate voted to authorize the Blue Ribbon and justice committees to lift the secrecy over information divulged by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong to senators last week during executive session.

The vote meant that the committees can provide Duterte the information given confidentially by Magalong, who reportedly identified the so-called “ninja cops” or policemen involved in the sale of seized drugs.

“We are consolidating with the President the lists, and reports from different agencies of government, from the PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency), the intelligence community and all of these the President ordered a cross validation, especially these so-called ninja cops,” Go told reporters.

He said Duterte’s reward – P1 million for one dead ninja cop; P500,000 for one who is alive and P2 million for those “who fight back” – still stands. “Ninja cops” refer to police officers who pilfer methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu and other illegal substances recovered from suspects for resell on the streets or to drug traffickers.

He said Duterte also ordered a check of all the rogue PNP officers earlier ordered sent to Mindanao, whether or not they have remained at their posts. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Emmanuel Tupas