Govt official: Number of wayward Filipino police ‘worrisome’

MANILA: A senior government official has described as “worrisome” the number of wayward elements in the Philippine National Police (PNP).

But Rogelio Casurao, National Police Commission (Napolcom) vice chairman and executive officer, assured the public that “there’s no breakdown of discipline” in the PNP.

Napolcom is mandated by the constitution and major police reform laws to administer and control the PNP.

Casurao told Arab News that he believes 1% of the 175,000 PNP personnel are “going astray” and engaged in unlawful activities.

While Casurao described that percentage as “scary,” President Rodrigo Duterte earlier this year said 40 percent of policemen in the country are “corrupt to the core.”

Duterte last month said some 9,000 policemen are involved in illegal drugs. “We’re monitoring” those involved, said Casurao.

The PNP has also been accused of thousands of extrajudicial killings (EJK) linked to the president’s war on drugs.

The PNP’s top brass denies the allegation, saying there was only one case of EJK between July 2016 and September 2017.

“The indiscretion of a few policemen shouldn’t be attributed to the entire institution,” said Casurao.

“In all objectivity, the police are very effective. They’re living up to their mission of protecting and serving the people.”

Casurao said steps are being taken to address aberrations within the PNP, adding: “In the area of EJKs… investigations are being carried out.” The PNP is also undergoing internal scrutiny, including checks on officers’ lifestyles.

Despite widespread criticisms domestically and internationally, Casurao said the government’s war on drugs has made a significant impact, especially in reducing crime.

“Your child is safe in school, your workplace is safe from any intrusion,” he added. “It’s good for us compared to incidents outside Asia. For instance, we don’t have aberrations such as senseless killings, like what happened in Nevada in the US.”