Almost 90 rogue cops dismissed under Gamboa’s watch

MANILA, Philippines — During his two-month leadership, Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa said that almost 90 errant police officers were dismissed as part of the internal cleansing program in the police force.

“We have dismissed almost ninety personnel, almost two policemen dismissed everyday, and continuing ito (and we are continuing this),” Gamboa told reporters after firecracker inspection at Bocaue, Bulacan on Saturday.

Gamboa, however, did not mention the penalties of the dismissed police officials.

Saying that the PNP will not tolerate errant policemen, Gamboa also noted that he also recommended penalizing some ranking police officers.

“Last night I signed a charged sheet recommending for the punishment of police colonels kasi baka sabihin nila na magaling lang kami sa mababa ang ranggo (because the public might think that we are only punishing those in the lower ranks),” he said.

‘Difficult times for police’

After the country’s police force was hounded with issue on alleged drug recycling, Gamboa admitted that they faced “difficult times in regaining public’s trust.”

“It was difficult times for PNP at inaamin naman namin na natumba kami doon. That is why I have a very great challenge ahead of me kung paano namin maregain yung tiwala ng publiko sa PNP, (on how to regain public’s trust on PNP),” Gamboa said.

Gamboa was appointed as PNP’s officer-in-charge on Oct. 14, shortly after former PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde stepped down as the police force leader over the alleged “ninja cops” controversy.

‘Body cameras’

To intensify transparency in police operations, Gamboa said over 3,000 body cameras will be delivered by May or April next year.

“We expect its delivery by May or April next year. Dinemand ito ng publiko for reasons of transparency para mawala ang duda niyo sa operations ng kapulisan (The public demanded this for reasons of transparency to stop doubts in police operations),” he said.

Gamboa also noted that footages in body cameras will help police officers on improving their policies in police operational procedures.