President Rodrigo Duterte
As the Philippine National Police (PNP) deal with a drug recycling scandal, President Rodrigo Duterte expressed his disappointment at the police force during a joint command conference in Malacañang.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President saw no reason why police officers should resort to illegal activities since their salaries had already been increased.
“Sabi nya dinagdagan na niya ng sweldo, dinoble na pero nangyari parin yun. So, he expressed disappointment with that,” Panelo said.
Sen. Christopher ‘Bong’ Go also confirmed police officials were reprimanded by the President.
“Medyo nasermunan nya, sermon na paalala na rin na full support nga sya sa PNP. In the end, nakita pa rin yung suporta niya, in-encourage nya po ang PNP to start working, balik-trabaho na po,” Go said.
PNP spokesperson Bernard Banac said the president’s disappointment was understandable and should serve as a wake-up call.
Former Police Chief Oscar Albayalde had been implicated in the drug recycling scandal but he has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, the PNP’s internal affairs service recommended the dismissal of seven members of the Antipolo police for an anomalous buy-bust operation. The internal affairs asserted the policemen violated standard operating procedure. Four of them were also involved in the 2013 drug recycling scandal in Pampanga province. (Jasper Camilo)