PNP chief: Respect drug watchlist validating process

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police chief Gen. Archie Gamboa on Thursday stressed that the PNP’s process in validating the government’s drug watchlist must be respected without getting too personal.

Gamboa refused to reveal further details about the drug watchlist, which he earlier said includes 357 police officers whose ranks range from Patrolman to Brigadier General.

He also refused to comment on the report that Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido, who was involved in major operations against supposed drug lords, is in the drug watchlist.

“Respect our [process]. Nakiusap naman ako sa inyo, di ba? Na huwag na sanang tingnan ‘yung mga personalities kasi you know the intention,” he told reporters in an interview at Camp Crame.

(Respect our process. I appealed to you that don’t look at the personalities in the watchlist because you know the intention.)

He explained that the validation of information is a “very complex” process and giving details to the public on the personalities involved would lead to prejudices.

Gamboa added that public pronouncements on the watchlist could “preempt the decision of the President” on how to address the issue once police officers are proven to be involved in illegal drugs.

“It’s a very complex process. When I start explaining about the 357, it’s preempting the decision of the President. So gusto ko we will not discuss anything about it kasi may mga prejudices nang madedevelop sa mga tao and possibly sa President,” he said.

(It’s a very complex process. When I start explaining about the 357, it’s preempting the decision of the President. So we will not discuss anything about it because there are prejudices that will be developed in people and possibly on the President.)

“So sana pabayaan niyo kami mag-evaluate and we will submit it to the President. Hindi natin alam pagdating kay President what’s he’s going to do with the recommendation,” Gamboa added.

(So I hope you will let us do the evaluation and we will submit it to the President. We don’t know what the President will do with the recommendation.)

The PNP will start validating and adjudicating the cases of the police officers included in the watchlist on Thursday.

Gamboa said of the 357 policemen, 15 have retired while 43 are on absent without leave (AWOL) status.

GSG