More operations to be launched vs high-ranking ‘ninja cops,’ — CITF chief

The Counter Intelligence Task Force (CITF) of the Philippine National Police will launch more operations against  “ninja” cops or high-ranking police officers involved in illegal activities including drugs, its commander Senior Supt. Romeo Caramat Jr. warned on Tuesday.

Caramat gave the warning after Supt. Santiago Rapiz was killed in a drug buy-bust operation at the Andres Bonifacio Compound in Dipolog City Monday night.

READ: ‘Ninja cop’ killed in drug buy-bust in Dipolog City

Caramat said Rapiz is allegedly working with other ranking police officers in the illegal drug trade. According to Caramat, some of Rapiz’s cohorts are superintendents. A superintendent is equivalent to a rank of lieutenant colonel in the military.

“Marami pang mga follow-up yan na mangyayari sa mga kapwa niya mga opisyal din (There will be more follow-up operations to be conducted against other police officials like him),” he said in a press briefing.

Caramat said Rapiz is the highest ranking official arrested or killed in a police operation since he became commander of the PNP-CITF in June. The CITF is the unit tasked to run after police scalawags.

“Marami pa kaming target (We have a lot of other targets). We are just waiting for the right time to neutralize these police officers,” he said.

He refused, however, to reveal information on other police officers involved in illegal activities, as he said the information remains confidential at the moment.

He said the PNP-CITF has already validated the involvement of some officials, while others are still being verified.

Camarat clarified that neutralization meant legitimate police operations against suspects after validating that they are involved in illegal activities. He said the PNP-CITF will either arrest a suspect using an arrest warrant or through a buy bust.

“Sana hindi nila mamis-interpret na pag sinabing neutralize eh mamatay unless during police operations manlaban ito. Wala kaming magagawa but to defend ourselves,” he said.

He also said that his unit investigates if the police scalawags they are monitoring can still be “restored.”

“Those na mga matitigas ang ulo na talagang wala nang pag-asa, CITF na ang bahala diyan (To those who are hard-headed and doesn’t have hope of changing, CITF will take care of you),” he said.  /muf