The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper
Police to revive war on illegal drugs
POLICE ARE preparing for the re-launch of its anti-drug campaign similar to the success success of of the the “Oplan “Oplan Tokhang” Tokhang” following following a a dramatic dramatic increase increase in in the the illegal illegal drug drug trade in the country.
President Rodrigo Duterte temporarily shelved the anti-drug campaign after some policemen were linked to the kidnap-slay of a South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo in January.
The Korean was seized from his home in Angeles City by a group of anti-narcotics policemen who accused him of being involved in the illegal drug trade, and demanded money from his wife in exchange for his safe release. He was eventually murdered inside a car in Camp Crame.
Duterte said he suspended the anti-drug campaign to allow “cleansing’ within the ranks of the Philippine National Police, and at the same time ordered the military to help the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in carrying out the campaign.
Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa also reminded all police commanders of the socalled “3-strike policy” and to strictly enforce internal disciplinary mechanisms among their units.
Under the PNP Memorandum Circular No. 2017-13 or the PNP Internal Cleansing Strategy dated February 21, the administrative relief of unit commander and their reassignment to appropriate Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit will be undertaken if 3 of their personnel were found positive in drug test, or arrested by other units for involvement in heinous and high profile crimes, or failure to take immediate action on reports of involvement in illegal activities of their personnel that are brought to their attention.
“This is to emphasize the concept of command responsibility, kasi kung walang command responsibility kanya-kanya yan, mahihirapan ang organisasyon,” Dela Rosa said.
He also said that all police commanders across the country should be vigilant and put extra effort on their significant responsibility in enforcing existing disciplinary mechanisms.
“The commander must be informed, know everything and on top of the situation. Kung ikaw ay station commander, you should know what each and every policeman under your command is doing,” Dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa also activated the Police Counter Intelligence Task Force to run after policemen involved in illegal activities and files proper charges against them and eventually removed from the service.