Gamboa imposes strict policies for cops to ‘regain PNP credibility’

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa implemented stricter policies on its ranks after the police force had been hounded by issues of lawmen recycling narcotics seized in police operations.

“After our campaign in illegal drugs, next will be to regain the credibility that has been lost in the controversy,” Gamboa said over dzMM on Wednesday.

Gamboa said he earlier issued a memorandum to all PNP personnel to stop using recovered evidence seized from police operations.

“No repeat of money or any material things from illegal drugs, bribe, kotong and those analogous illegal things. No use of recovered evidence or vehicle or motorcycles,” Gamboa said.

He also imposed a policy on “no use of PNP private vehicles without plate number or conduction sticker” for PNP personnel.

Gamboa earlier announced that he declared a ban on golf playing for police officers during weekdays as the time-consuming sport could interfere with their public service.

READ: No more golf for cops on weekdays – PNP

‘Go after high-value targets’

For the PNP’s anti-drug campaign, police will revisit its strategy on arresting high-value targets, Gamboa said.

“Primary consideration when it comes to the mandate of PNP is really our campaign against illegal drugs. I’d like to revisit on our strategy and probably sinasabi ko nga (as I’ve said), let us go for high-value targets,” Gamboa said.

Gamboa noted that apprehending high-value targets linked to illegal drugs requires surveillance and cooperation with the judiciary.

“And there is an intervention of another branch of government so you have to convince the judiciary na indeed na merong laman itong bahay o lugar na ito (there is illegal drugs present in this house or place). So hindi ibig sabihin na as PNP, na basta mo na lang lusubin (It does not mean that as a PNP personnel, they are allowed to enter the house),” Gamboa said.

Gamboa assumed the post of officer-in-charge after PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde resigned on Monday amid the Senate inquiry on the controversial 2013 Pampanga drug sting. /je