DOJ free to review cases of cops in drug war deaths: PNP

MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) is free to re-investigate cases of cops in anti-illegal drug operations who were cleared of administrative cases, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said on Thursday.

In a statement, Eleazar said the PNP has vowed to fully cooperate with the DOJ regarding the matter.

“The PNP is open to any investigation dahil wala kaming itinatago (we are not hiding anything). If the DOJ will push through with the review of the cases of those police officers who were already cleared, I will guarantee full cooperation. Ito naman ang assurance namin sa DOJ sa simula pa lang. Handa ang PNP na gawing available para sa review ng ahensiya ang alinmang case folder na hilingin nito (This has been our assurance to the DOJ from the very beginning. The PNP is ready to make available for review by the agency any case folder it requests),” he said.

This came as the DOJ plans to review cases of police officers in anti-illegal drug operations where there were deaths but were already cleared by the PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS).

“We submit to the wisdom of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra regarding this matter,” the PNP chief added.

Eleazar said the PNP is serious in cooperating with the DOJ on its review of deaths in the government’s anti-drug campaign.

“Seryoso ang PNP sa pakikipagtulungan nito sa DOJ at handa din kaming panagutin ang mga pulis na mapatutunayang nagkasala sa batas (The PNP is serious about its cooperation with the DOJ and we are also ready to hold the police officers accountable once they are found guilty of violating the law),” Eleazar said.

The PNP previously submitted to the DOJ case folders of anti-illegal drug operations, where deaths occurred, for the agency’s review and investigation.

During the pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) Forum of the Security, Peace, and Justice Cluster on Wednesday, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said since 2017, 17,142 rogue cops were subjected to disciplinary actions and sanctions.

The figure includes 906 police officers who were dismissed from the service.