Duterte rebukes, warns wayward cops
Rogue police officers got a second serving of President Duterte’s threats after being forced to stand and wait at the Malacañang grounds for hours last Tuesday.
Emerging from the joint military and police command conference in Malacañang, the President spoke anew to the 102 erring officers and warned they would be killed if they continued to violate the law.
Meantime, the Philippine National Police (PNP) shelved the practice of sending erring police officers to conflict-torn areas of the country, particularly in Mindanao.
Stern warning “Pag magkita tayo dito sa --- sorry, sorry talaga. ‘Pag magtagpo tayo sa isang kanto sa buhay, yayariin ko talaga kayo, sigurado. Hindi ako magtitiis [If we meet again, I’m really sorry. If we meet in a corner, I will really finish you off. I won’t stop myself],” Duterte said in his brief remarks at past 10 p.m. Tuesday before telling them to leave the Palace.
“I hope that you will not commit a mistake. Maawa ka sa pamilya ninyo. Madidisgrasya ka talaga [Have pity on your family. You may meet a tragic fate],” he added.
Duterte also urged the policemen to avoid looking for trouble and just be content with their higher salary.
The President spoke in a calm voice during his second speech before the erring police officers from Metro Manila and nearby provinces, unlike his angry outburst four hours earlier.
Duterte earlier unleashed a profanity-filled rebuke of the cops facing criminal and administrative complaints, saying the country would be safer if they were in jail or dead.
“Wala kayong silbi para sa akin. Salot kayo sa lipunan [You are useless to me. You are a plague of society],” Duterte told the policemen.
After his berating them in public, Duterte directed the policemen to stand and wait outside the Palace while he completes his meeting with top security officials.
Some policemen have been accused of kidnapping, rape, robbery and extortion, and involvement in the illegal drug trade. Others were facing administrative cases such as absence without leave, neglect of duty, and nonappearance in court duties.
PNP Spokesperson Sr. Supt. Benigno Durana Jr., said the disciplinary move from the Commander-in-Chief only showed his support to the national police force.
“President [Duterte]’s move is proof of his support to the PNP and a message to the public that he is one with us,” Durana said.
Pursue prosecution PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said they will aggressively pursue any administrative charges that would be slapped against scalawag police officers with the end goal of kicking those with serious offenses out of the service.
“They will not be transferred because they are facing criminal and administrative charges. We will expedite their administrative cases and met them with appropriate punishment up to dismissal from the service,” said Albayalde.
Last year, more than 300 police officers facing various administrative charges were sent to Basilan and some parts of Mindanao. (with a report from Martin A. Sadongdong)