Makabayan lawmakers says Duterte plan to lead PNP an insult to officials

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte’s suggestions that he would instead lead the Philippine National Police (PNP) is an insult to officials nominated for the police chief post, lawmakers from the House of Representatives’ Makabayan bloc said.

Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Rep. France Castro said in a statement on Friday that this shows that even President Rodrigo Duterte does not trust the police force.

Duterte made the remarks on Thursday, saying that he may take over the PNP if he cannot choose among the candidates for the next PNP chief — which includes PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan, and Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar.

“This an insult to the OIC PNP chief and other candidates.  Pagpapa-kita na ba ito ng kawalan ng tiwala ni President Duterte sa organisasyon na madalas at walang tigil na nasasangkot sa krimen at katiwalian?” Castro asked.

“This might also result in demoralization to the PNP,” she added.

(This an insult to the OIC PNP chief and other candidates.  Is this a way for President Duterte to show his lack of trust towards the organization, that has been continuously dragged into crime and corruption?)

Bayan Muna Reps. Ferdinand Gaite and Eufemia Cullamat meanwhile said that it might be a cause for alarm if Duterte leads the police force, as there may be more attacks against dissenters and more human rights violations.

“If President Duterte handles the PNP then we will surely be in for the worse.  Duterte has always been in command of the killings, attacks against government critics, and violations of human rights,” Gaite said.

Earlier, PNP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said that they see no problem with Duterte’s plan as his commander-in-chief role means he is also the source of PNP’s policy direction.

However, all three lawmakers also expressed worry at the proposal, with Gaite saying that it may open the way for a more authoritarian government.

“Sa kanya na lahat?  Kung nawala na nga ang tiwala ng mamamayan sa mga pulis, dahil sa kanilang nagawang mga krimen na walang napanagot, mas higit pa kung Presidente.  Mas lalo pang  mamamatay na ang kinabukasan ng hustisya sa ating bayan at ng mamamayan,” Cullamat explained.

“President Duterte’s statement also displays his tyrannical and fascist tendencies. Gusto niyang kontrolin o hawakan lahat ng kapangyarihan, tila siya lang ang makakagawa ng lahat ng aspeto ng government,” Castro added.

(He has control of everything?  If the police lost the trust of the people because of their inability to hold criminals accountable, then much more with the President.  The future of justice for the country and Filipinos looks even bleaker.)

(President Duterte’s statement also displays his tyrannical and fascist tendencies.  He wants to control and handle all power, that it seems he is the only one able to perform in government.)