Erap: More heads will roll in Manila's 'worst' police

MANILA, Philippines - Former president and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada warned that more erring officials in the Manila Police District (MPD) will be sacked as he tries to eradicate corruption in the country's capital city.

In a television interview on Friday morning, Estrada said he will relieve police officials allegedly involved in acts of corruption to restore MPD's image as "Manila's finest."

"The Manila Police Department is used to be called as 'Manila's finest' but now it's 'Manila's worst'," Estrada said.

Estrada clarified that he will not remove police officials without any evidence at all. He also denied that he is relieving cops because they were previously under former Manila mayor Alfredo Lim.

On Monday, Estrada relieved Superintendent Alexander Navarette, MPD Station 11 commander, over the proliferation of illegal vendors in his jurisdiction.

Estrada said he conducted an inspection in Tondo where vendors "spread like mushrooms" and accused Navarette and his men of earning protection money worth more than P100,000.

The new mayor also ordered the relief of two more MPD officials: traffic head Superintendent Rey Nava and Superintendent Ernesto Tendero Jr., chief of the Moriones police station.

Nava was axed for his alleged failure to solve the traffic situation in Manila while Tendero was relieved over complaints that he was extorting money from vendors.

Related stories: Erap sacks MPD station chief and Erap sacks 2 more MPD officials

When sworn into office earlier this week, Estrada vowed to wipe out corruption not only in the MPD but also among city hall employees.

"I declare an all-out war against corruption and kotong cops," he said.

"I mean business. And I practice what I preach," added the former president, who was once convicted of plunder.

Estrada had said that he will restore Manila's old glory as the nation's capital and improve the deteriorating peace and order situation in the city. He said Manila is suffering from a host of problems such as crime and poverty.

“Here in Manila, there are also a lot of ‘pan’ – kidnap-pan, holdup-pan, carnap-pan and lastly kahirap-pan. That is what is happening and we need to rise and restore the city’s former glory,” said Estrada.

Related story: Erap: It’s more ‘pan’ in Manila