Duterte calls on police generals to remain loyal to flag, Constitution

President Rodrigo Duterte (Pictured) on Thursday called on Philippine National Police generals to remain loyal to the flag and the Constitution as he urged them to be true to their mandate of protecting and serving the Filipino people. (Photo: Presidential Communications (Government of the Philippines)/ Facebook)

MANILA –President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday called on Philippine National Police generals to remain loyal to the flag and the Constitution as he urged them to be true to their mandate of protecting and serving the Filipino people.

In his speech during the oath-taking of about 75 police generals who were assigned to sensitive PNP posts, the President said that he does want them to cultivate a loyalty to him for he would only be the president for six years.

“Do not cultivate a loyalty for me. I do not need it. Lahat kami padaan lang. Ako in six years wala na ako. Or I don’t know kung hanggang kalian,” he said.

“Trabaho lang tayo at sa aking panahon wala kayong problema. Not because I want you to be loyal to me,” Duterte said.

He also reminded the PNP generals that as public officials, he and the police have the same mandate: to do everything to preserve the country and the Filipino people.

“That is my job. That is the job of General Ronald dela Rosa. That is your task, your mandate. Trabaho lang tayo and you will have everything,” he said.

He likewise reiterated his vow to look after the legal cases of police as long as they do their work and adhere to the law.

“Just continue to do your work. I just want to assure you that ako ‘yung hindi nag-iiwan ng tao basta sa trabaho lang,” the President said.

“You just remain loyal to the flag and to the Constitution. That is all that I ask of you. Basta atin trabaho lang. I said, do not cultivate a loyalty na personal sa akin. I do not need it but the country needs your dedication,” Duterte said.