Abalos vows to help cops facing lawsuits

MANILA, Philippines — Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos yesterday vowed to create a team to help police officers facing legal battles in the line of duty.

Abalos said he would create a system to raise funding to help police personnel who are facing lawsuits, to prevent them from being demoralized.

“There were innocent policemen who were sued by rich drug dealers even if they did nothing wrong,” he said in a speech before Philippine National Police (PNP) officials at Camp Crame.

Abalos said the legal team would evaluate the evidence against innocent police personnel.

“Do not worry. Hindi ako papayag na ma-demoralize ang ating mga pulis. Gagawa ako ng sistema to raise funding,” he said.

During his term as Mandaluyong mayor, Abalos said a policeman was sued by an influential drug dealer even if the latter was “innocent.”

“The poor policeman had to face a trumped-up drug case. He had to use his salary to pay for a lawyer. He did not want to return to the drug enforcement unit,” Abalos said.

Meanwhile, PNP director for operations Maj. Gen. Valeriano de Leon ordered police chiefs to coordinate with mayors to strengthen anti-narcotics operations.

“We need the help of local executives to boost our campaign against drugs,” De Leon said.