Duterte scolds 102 erring cops in Malacañang

FILE: DUTERTE SCOLDS ROGUE COPS. President Rodrigo R. Duterte vents out his anger as the scalawag police officers were presented to him at Malacañan Palace on August 7, 2018. (Ace Morandante/Presidential Photo)

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday berated more than 100 erring policemen, including 87 from the National Capital Region Police Office at the Malacañang Palace grounds.

“Look at my eyes,” Duterte ordered the 102 policemen including three who are linked to kidnap-for-ransom activities.

“Alam mo, hindi ko maintindihan kung kayong mga criminalnakapasok sa police” (You know, I cannot understand why you criminals were able to join the police force),” the visibly irked President said.

Duterte said the Philippine National Police (PNP) leadership has been trying to improve its image only to be tainted by the policemen allegedly involved in robbery, extortion, illegal drugs, rape and grave misconduct.

“Bakit kayo pumasok sa police? Anong nakain ninyo na — itongpolice, para lang ito sa mga tao may pagmamahal sa bayan at gusto makapag-silbi sa kapwa tao nila (Why you joined the police force? This police is only for people who love the country and wanted to serve their fellowmen),” he said.

The President warned that he will not hesitate to kill the policemen particularly those involved in illegal drugs and corruption.

“I will review your cases. Kayong may mga kasalanan na sindikato sa droga, sindikato sa corruption, meron akong special unit habang buhay bantayan kayo at pag nagkamali kayo nang konti, sabihin ko patayin kayo (Those who are involved in drug syndicates and corruption, I will have special unit that will monitor throughout your life and if you commit just one mistake again, I will order to kill you),” Duterte said.

Duterte said erring policemen have no place in the government institution like the PNP.

“Wala kayong silbi para sa akin. Salot kayo sa lipunan. Wina-warningan ko kayo (For me you are useless. You are the plague of society. I’m warning you),” he said.

After scolding the policemen, Duterte proceeded to the joint PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) command conference but ordered them to remain standing at the Palace ground until their meeting is over.

Aside from 87 policemen from NCRPO, seven from Region 3 (Central Luzon) and eight from Region 4A (Calabarzon) have been accused of various offenses, making it second time the President berated a batch of rogue PNP members in Malacañang.

In February 2017, Duterte reprimanded more than 200 erring policemen, threatening them to send to Basilan to fight Abu Sayyaf terrorists.