Protecting those in drug watchlist may erode trust in PNP – Robredo

MANILA, Philippines — If the police officers who are part of the drug watchlist are being protected by those in power, it may lead to an “erosion” of people’s trust in the Philippine National Police (PNP), Vice President Leni Robredo warned on Sunday.

“I hope this would not involve the institution of the police whom people are depending on. I hope the police would show that they would not let those who are abusive go unpunished,” Robredo said in Filipino in her weekly program “BISErbisyong Leni,” which airs on AM radio station DZXL.

“If the stance of the police shows that there are cover-ups, this is when the erosion of people’s trust starts,” she added.

She made the warning as the name of Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido, who became controversial for his hard-hitting campaign against illegal drugs, was later included in the drug watchlist.

READ: ‘Espenido included in drugs watchlist’

Robredo later clarified that she was not in the position to say whether or not the accusations against Espenido were true.

“For me, it’s important in this campaign that the institution be trustworthy,” she said. If that institution was the one that did the cover-up, we have a big problem there.”

/atm