NCRPO chief vows to prioritize respect to human rights

FILE: National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director, Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao. (PNA Photo)

MANILA – Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director, on Wednesday vowed to prioritize respect to human rights along with the police operations against crimes.

“Respect for human rights is an utmost priority. Hindi po tayo papayag na ang ating mga kababayan ay aabusuhin ng men in uniform (We will not allow that our countrymen would be abused by men-in-uniform),” Danao told reporters in a chance interview.

With his Oplan Litis, Danao said that internal cleansing would be a focus under his stint as the chief of the NCRPO.

Danao targets to get rid of the inefficient and scalawag policemen.

The Metro Manila top cop said that he would not tolerate abuse on civilians by his own men.

According to Danao, they would disseminate contact numbers where the public may directly complain against rogue cops.

“I think we have already the numbers before (at the) NCRPO and that will be maintained. We will just enhance again yung kung ano ang mga numero na ito ([We will enhance again the said numbers),” he added.

Danao noted that law enforcement in the middle of the pandemic would be challenging, but the police would persevere and continue its service to the people.

He, however, warned police commanders to do their duties or else they could be “shaken up”.

“It does not mean na dahil pandemic tayo eh ‘yung ating law enforcement natin eh mapapabayaan. Dapat mas lalo nating paigtingin dahil siyempre pandemic ngayon, marami ang walang kabuhayan (It does not mean that because there is pandemic our law enforcement will relax on their duties and responsibilities. They should intensify it to avoid any criminal acts), (as) others might take advantage of the situation,” he stressed.

“Mayroon tayo kasing (We have) rating in every district so those who will be rated low lalo na sa mga chief of police at station commanders na hindi nagpeperfom (especially the chiefs of police and station commanders who are not performing well), I’m giving you time to shape up or you will be shaken up,” he added.

Danao also tasked chiefs of police to account for their men as well as their issued weapons.

“I’m directing all the chiefs of police to account their personnel.

I’m directing them to submit a 100 percent attendance that they have accounted properly their personnel, to include all firearms and other properties,” Danao said.

When he formally assumed the post as Metro Manila’s top cop, Danao vowed that the region would be filled with police officers to combat crimes.

He advised cops to always remember President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs, as well as the efforts against criminality and corruption.