Police ‘scalawags’ gets fresh warning from Duterte

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte shares a light moment with the guests during the Joint 68th National Security Council and 69th National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) Founding Anniversary Celebration at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on July 31, 2018. KARL NORMAN ALONZO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

President Rodrigo Duterte once again warned the so-called ‘scalawags’ in the police force, saying that he would not hesitate to ‘terminate’ them from service.

“Huwag kayong pumasok diyan sa droga, ‘yang mga murder-for-hire, kasi ipa-project ko rin kayo (Do not get involved in drugs or murder-for-hire because I will make you a project),” Duterte said in a speech during the 68th National Security Council and 69th National Intelligence Coordinating Agency founding anniversary on Tuesday, July 30, at Pasay City.

“You can be very sure there will be a project for you and really that is to neutralize or terminate you,” he added.

If these policemen involved in illegal activities would not be punished, Duterte said nothing will happen to the country otherwise, especially “at this time when we are all bombarded with drugs.”

“Nobody seems to obey the law,” he noted.

The President also said some people do not ‘fear’ the sanction of the law because of “human rights.

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“Ang pulis noon (The police before), previous administration, walang nahuli, iilan-ilang buy-bust (was not able to capture anyone and only conducted few buy-bust operations). It was not only after I became President and it were as — I demanded that all records be opened to me,” Duterte said.

He continued, “Nakita ko ang Pilipino nakapila na by the thousands araw-araw diyan sa television (I saw thousands of Filipinos in television lining up everyday). All contaminated, all sickly, all rendered inutile because of drugs. Bakit noon wala (Why was there none before)?”

Duterte’s remarks came after a cop was killed, while three others were nabbed following a shootout with their fellow policemen also on Tuesday in Taguig City for their alleged involvement in a kidnap-for-ransom scheme.

Last April, Duterte issued warnings to those policemen engaged in illegal drugs, kidnap-for-ransom, and other unscrupulous activities, saying that Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, whom he appointed to head the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), will welcome them in the national prison.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde also vowed earlier that he will focus on imposing strict discipline of the uniformed men under his watch.