‘Despite drug scandals, PNP remains efficient’

MANILA, Philippines — Amid former president Rodrigo Duterte’s recent tirades against law enforcement, the Philippine National Police (PNP) pulled out statistics yesterday to show that it remains a well-functioning and efficient organization that fights illegal drugs and other crimes.

In a statement, the PNP said the campaign against illegal drugs is on track, with 25,641 drug suspects arrested in 19,464 law enforcement operations from Jan. 1 to June 9 this year.

In the same period, a total of P6.2 billion worth of illegal drugs and substances were seized.

The PNP also noted a 9.73 percent decrease in index crimes, from 18,270 last year to 16,492 this year.

A total of 31,956 wanted persons were arrested nationwide and 12,373 loose firearms were either seized or surrendered in the campaign against unlicensed guns, the PNP said.

“These numbers are manifestations that we have effective and efficient anti-crime strategies and programs and we continue to provide a safe environment to every Filipino and healthy economic environment to the business sector,” it said.

Earlier, Duterte dared the entire police force to resign, accusing the PNP’s members of being the gatekeepers of the illegal drug trade.

Last Tuesday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced filing criminal charges against 50 police officers, including two police generals, in connection with alleged anomalies in the seizure of 990 kilos of shabu worth P6.7 billion in Tondo, Manila last year.

While acknowledging that a “minimal” number of police personnel violated policies and laws, the PNP said it never tolerated such wrongdoings.

As proof, the PNP said up to 836 police officers were dismissed from the service for grave offenses, while 1,703 others were suspended.

“This is a manifestation that the organization has well-functioning disciplinary mechanisms to weed out those who are unfit to be in the organization,” the PNP said.

The PNP also took refuge behind the recent survey by OCTA Research, which reported that 80 percent or eight out of 10 Filipinos still trust the police organization.

“Despite issues and challenges, the PNP assures the public that we will continue to do our mandated tasks with the highest regard to human rights and utmost dedication for our countrymen,” the PNP stated.

Probe continues

Yesterday, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said the investigation into the P6.7-billion drugs seizure in Tondo does not stop with the filing of charges against 50 PNP officers before the Office of the Ombudsman. Abalos said pinpointing where the shabu came from is a continuing investigation and the charges filed are only the first step in strengthening the PNP’s Internal Affairs Service (IAS).

“What is important now is to strengthen the Internal Affairs [Service]; what needs to be done to make it more effective. What is important is to look at the gaps,” Abalos, speaking partly in Filipino, told a televised interview on CNN Philippines.

The highest police officials indicted were Lt. Gen. Benjamin Santos, former deputy chief for operations of the PNP, and Brig. Gen. Narciso Domingo, who headed the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG).

Also charged were Col. Julian Olonan, head of the PDEG Special Operations Unit in Region 4A; Lt. Col. Arnulfo Ibañez and Lt. Col. Glenn Gonzalez.

Abalos said there were different circumstances that implicated the PNP officials and that they face a slew of cases, including violations of Republic Act 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and RA 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, falsification, perjury, false testimony, malversation of public property and obstruction of justice.

Police officers in active service are also facing administrative charges before the National Police Commission (Napolcom), he added.

Clear their names

Domingo and Olonan expressesd sadness over the charges brought against them, but vowed to prove their innocence, starting with requesting the ombudsman for a speedy disposition of their cases.

“I will be requesting for a speedy trial,” said Domingo, who wants this case resolved before his retirement in May next year.

Olonan echoed the same sentiments, saying he would file his answer to the charges once he receives a copy of the complaint against him. He also thanked all the people who continue to support and believe in him.

The cases stem from nearly a ton of shabu seized from dismissed police master sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr. on Oct. 8, 2022.

Domingo lamented that he ended up facing charges when he supervised an operation that led to one of the PNP’s biggest ever drug seizures on record.

He maintained that it was he who discovered the pilferage done by rogue police officers who stole at least 42 kilos of shabu from the drug haul. “Unfortunately, I was the one implicated to be in cahoots with this syndicate,” Domingo said.

Frustrated

Duterte’s former PNP chief, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, said the former president’s recent remarks only reflected his frustration over the resurgence of the illegal drug trade.

“That is how frustrated the former president is with the resurgence of drug activities involving ninja cops,” Dela Rosa said in a Viber message to The STAR yesterday.

Duterte went ballistic over the topic of police involvement in illegal drugs, saying: “Shoot them dead. Why allow them due process? What for?”

“Look at what has been happening. Bato (dela Rosa) has been talking for hours on TV. Still, until now, it’s all investigation. That’s how long it’s going to take, because that’s how the law requires it,” added Duterte, citing the congressional probe his former PNP chief was conducting in the Senate.?Dela Rosa commended the move of the DILG to prosecute dozens of PNP officers suspected of involvement in illegal drugs. “That is a very timely and decisive move by the DILG and the Napolcom (National Police Commission),” he said.

For his part, Abalos tried to water down doubts in the PNP, following Duterte’s statement daring the entire police force to resign to give way to the military to take over their duties.

Abalos said the national government is working to address the drug problem. “What we’re doing here, filing charges, would speak for… our intention to clean this [mess] up. We’re not yet done, there are a lot more things to do,” he said.– Romina Cabrera, Cecille Suerte Felipe