PNP says internal cleansing ongoing vs erring cops

PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde. INQUIRER FILE / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday assured the public that its “internal cleansing” was continuing after a survey showed that most Filipinos believe that some of their members were involved in the drug trade or in extrajudicial killings.

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In an interview over Radyo Inquirer, PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde said they already told regional directors to continue monitoring their subordinates and foil any wrongdoing.

“Mahigpit nating winarningan ang mga regional directors na kung merong gumagawa sa kanilang hanay ng ganyan ay itigil nila ‘yan dahil tayo hindi tayo magaatubili na parusahan ‘yung mga pulis na makita natin na gumagawa ng ganyan,” Albayalde said.

“Hindi natin pinasinasawalang bahala ‘yung allegations ng mga kababayan natin. Iyan naman ay iniimbestigahan natin,” he added.

PNP spokesperson Senior Superintendent Bernard Banac, for his part, insisted that the effort to clean their ranks was continuing. He also claimed that only a small number of policemen are involved in illegal activities.

“Patuloy ang ating internal cleansing, yung ating kampanya dito, lahat ng mga pulis na may pagkakamali, pagkakasala at paglabas sa batas ay ating kinakasuhan at sinisibak sa serbisyo,” Banac said in a separate radio interview.

“Napakaliit na porsiyento nito sa buong hanay ng Philippine National Police subalit ang nagbibigay ng masamang imahe sa atin kaya patuloy ang ating internal cleansing (campaign),” he added. /cbb