PNP chief says no need for loyalty check among police 

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said that the police force remains loyal to the Constitution, amid talks of disgruntled military and police officers due to the revocation of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s amnesty.

“I can assure the public that there is no need of loyalty checks in our ranks, in the Philippine National Police.  Wala kaming reason para magkaroon pa ng loyalty check (There’s no reason to have a loyalty check),” Albayalde told reporters in a press briefing on Monday.

“Our loyalty to the Constitution is always strong, and our loyalty to the Filipino people is always strong.  Hindi magbabago ‘yan (That won’t change),” he assured.

In his speech after his official visit to Israel and Jordan, President Rodrigo Duterte shrugged off claims made by Trillanes that some officers of the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were “concerned” about the amnesty revocation.

According to Duterte, police and military personnel should not be loyal to him, but to the Philippine flag.

READ: Amid ouster talk, Duterte reminds troops of loyalty to flag

The PNP chief said that they have not received reports of police being politicized by the recent turn of events at the Senate, saying that being apolitical has been a part of the PNP’s policy.

“Wala kaming information whatsoever na kahit anumang (police) na nai-impluwensyahan dito sa nangyayari sa Senate,” Albayalde said.

(We don’t have information whatsoever on any police who was influenced with the events in the Senate.)

“Ever since naman ang policy natin is to be apolitical, even during this election time, hinding-hindi kami pwede sumawsaw sa politics,” he added.  

(Our policy ever since has always been to be apolitical, even during this election time, we cannot meddle in politics.)

When asked if he would also fire PNP officers and officials meddling in politics just like what AFP Chief of Staff Carlito Galvez Jr. said, Albayalde answered without hesitation.

“Of course, and we will deliberate all the commanders on the ground before the election time,” he said.

On Sunday, Galvez reminded AFP personnel to remain loyal to the Constitution and obey the Chain of Command, or face repercussions. /je

READ: Don’t take part in politics, AFP chief tells troops