Task force vs rogue cops; brave cops vs rebels

ROGUE cops under the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be dealt with accordingly, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has assured.

Behave or goodbye, boys! Your “Tsapa” days are numbered.

*** Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said he issued Department Order (DO) No. 697 creating a task force that would handle cases against bad cops.

Time of awakening. Throw away the bad eggs before they spoil the entire basket.

*** “In the interest of the service, pursuant to the provisions of existing laws and upon the request of the Philippine National Police, a task force is hereby created to handle the preliminary investigation of cases filed by the PNP-Counter Intelligence Task Force (PNP-CITF) against rogue PNP personnel,” the Aguire order said.

“This order takes effect immediately and shall remain in force until further orders,” he added.

*** Aguirre said Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Severino Gana Jr. of the National Prosecution Service (NPS) will serve as chairman of the 14-man DOJ task force.

Members of the task force are Senior Assistant State Prosecutors Pedro Navera, Susan Azarcon, Edwin Dayog, Susan Villanueva, Ma. Emilia Victorio, and Hazel Decena Valdez; Assistant State Prosecutors Aristotle Reyes, Consuelo Corazon Pazzuigan, and Chulo Palencia Jr.; and Associate Prosecution Attorneys Borgy Calugay, Joan Carla Garcia, Loverhette Jeffrey Villordon, and Jonathan Paul Dimaano.

*** PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa disclosed earlier that the PNP’s 185,000 uniformed personnel is contaminated by about 2 percent or roughly 4,000 policemen believed to be engaged in illegal activities.

Hurry, target them before they target other victims.

*** Malacañang had assured earlier that bad cops, primarily those involved in the drug raids in Tondo, Manila, last month and accused of extra-judicial killings, will be investigated accordingy.

No more hiding under the cloak of the illegal drugs campaign.

*** “If police are proven to have killed without necessity, they will be charged and punished. That is the President’s policy and directive,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.

No more sacred cows, no more “palusot.”

*** “The President has warned police not to use deadly force except when facing armed criminal threats to the public and themselves,” Roque reiterated.

The world is closely watching us. Good reminder that is better heeded.

*** However, Dela Rosa warned against spreading damaging reports about the PNP just as it is about to return to the drug campaign.

We are ready to handle the job better, he assured.

*** Meanwhile, police authorities welcomed the defense staged by 23 cops against 200 attacking members of the New People’s Army in the Biniuangan municipal police station in Misamis Oriental.

The cops stood their groundvaliantly.

*** “The PNP leadership will be giving commendations to our personnel in the area, and in similar future cases,” a PNP top brass confirmed.

More NPA attacks expected while peace talks are suspended. Give credit where credit is due.