MANILA, Philippines — Police officers should toe the line or they could find themselves being counted as one of three erring policemen who are dismissed from the service each day.
Newly-appointed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa issued the warning to police officers on Tuesday, adding that police officers involved in illegal drugs will be facing “severe punishment.”
“For those erring PNP personnel, you will be reprimanded, castigated or be dismissed in the service if necessary. Do not be counted in the statistics of three policemen were dismissed from the service daily,” Gamboa said in his speech in Camp Crame.
“Likewise, as to personnel who are associated with illegal drugs, they will be treated with severe punishment,” he added.
As Gamboa assumed his new post, he vows to intensify the PNP’s internal cleansing program to rid the agency of scalawag cops and maintain the integrity of the PNP.
“Kailangan natin linisin ang ating hanay upang mawala ang anay na sumisira sa ating organisasyon,” he said.
(We need to cleanse our ranks to remove the termites that are damaging our organization.)
A “no-take” policy is still enforced among police officers, Gamboa said, where cops are prohibited to receive whatever material or monetary consideration from operators of illegal gambling, drug dealers, including any form of bribe or “kotong” from illegal sources.
He also emphasized the importance of proper decorum, reminding police officers to salute superior officers and must show utmost respect; likewise, leaders must always think of their subordinate’s welfare.
Police officers are likewise directed to be in their proper uniforms while in duty.
Gamboa took his oath of office before President Rodrigo Duterte in Batangas province on Monday.
Prior to his appointment, Gamboa served as the officer-in-charge of the PNP since October after his predecessor, Gen. Oscar Albayalde, resigned from after being linked into the controversial “ninja cop” issue.