PNP monitoring 22 cops ‘involved’ in illegal drugs

“For now, we are monitoring 22 of our colleagues but so far, it seems they have stopped from their illegal activity. However, we will still continue monitoring them because if we see that they are violating the law again, we will launch law enforcement operations against them. We will not hesitate to catch them and hold them liable for violating the rules and policies of the PNP,” PNP spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac told reporters in a press briefing in Camp Crame. (File Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it is currently monitoring 22 active police officers allegedly involved in illegal drug trade.

“For now, we are monitoring 22 of our colleagues but so far, it seems they have stopped from their illegal activity. However, we will still continue monitoring them because if we see that they are violating the law again, we will launch law enforcement operations against them. We will not hesitate to catch them and hold them liable for violating the rules and policies of the PNP,” PNP spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac told reporters in a press briefing in Camp Crame.

He said the list includes one major, two lieutenants, and 19 police non-commissioned officers.

From a list containing 87 police officers last year, Banac said names are being taken out of the list once they no longer receive any report on their alleged involvement in illegal drugs based on continued validation.

Earlier, PNP officer-in-charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa said more than 9,000 erring police officers were given administrative sanctions since 2016 as part of the PNP’s internal cleansing program.

For the period July 2016 until September 20 this year, Gamboa said a total of 9,172 policemen or roughly 4.7 percent of the total number of PNP personnel currently in service, had been meted various degrees of penalty for administrative cases arising from involvement in criminal activity, and violation of PNP rules and regulations.

Among those penalized were 2,806 personnel dismissed from service, 535 demoted in rank, 4,721 suspended, 762 reprimanded, 60 restricted to quarters, 208 with forfeited salary and 80 withheld privileges.

Of the 2,806 dismissed police officers, 454 were due to their involvement in illegal drug activities; 352 were found positive for using illegal drugs while 102 were involved in drug-related cases such as being a protector, user, and alike.

He also reiterated that the PNP is serious in its aim to enforce culture change and character transformation among police officers.

Gamboa also urged the public to help the PNP come out and provide information against rogue police personnel and high-value targets as part of the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs.