PNP: Rogue Metro cops flying to Basilan Tuesday

The transfer of the more than 300 rogue Metro Manila police officers to Basilan is all set, with their send-off scheduled on Tuesday.

No less than Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa confirmed the deployment of the officers who were personally castigated by President Duterte in Malacanang for their supposed involvement in lawless activities and violation of PNP policies.

“The C-130 is already ready. By 3 a.m. on Tuesday, they will be transported to Basilan,” said dela Rosa.

Director Oscar Albayalde, head of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), said a total of 311 police officers are scheduled to be transported to western part of Mindanao.

He said the 311 officers are composed of an officer with a rank of Superintendent (equivalent to Lieutenant Colonel in the military), four Chief Inspectors (Major), nine Senior Inspectors (Captain), and three Inspectors (Lieutenant).

The rest are Non-Commissioned Officers composed of one Senior Police Officer 4, four Senior Police Officer 3, 19 Senior Police Officers 2, 23 Senior Police Officer 1, 74 Police Officer 3, 84 Police Officer 2, and 88 Police Officers 1.

The President toughened up further on erring police officers after several were implicated in drug protection rackets and the abduction and murder of South Korean national Jee Ick-Joo, who was kidnapped and killed right inside Camp Crame in October last year by members of the abolished Anti-Illegal Drugs Group.

380 police officers were originally destined for Basilan, but 79 have since been dismissed, detained, suspended, transferred to other regions, optionally retired or went on AWOL (Absent Without Official Leave).

“The very purpose of their reassignment is to remove them from their sphere of influence,” said Albayalde.

But it was learned that some of those 311 cops are not involved in serious offenses and merely violated police rules such as being habitual tardy, texting while on duty and even those who lousily wear their uniform.

Albayalde, however, said that these should serve as a stern warning for those who would dare not change their attitude towards the job they swore to uphold.

“We are very firm in our stand on our internal cleansing program. Our internal cleansing would transcend from these offenses to erring cops,” said Albayalde.

Rumors have been circulating that some of the 311 cops would choose resignation over deployment to Basilan.

“We will know that tomorrow (Sunday) because there would be an accounting and on Tuesday, the day of their deployment,” said dela Rosa.