PNP removes 122 cops from drugs watchlist

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has removed 122 police officers from the national watchlist of cops allegedly involved in the drug trade during the process of adjudication, newly installed PNP chief Gen. Camilo Cascolan said Monday.

“For the status of adjudication of NWID (National Watchlist on Illegal Drugs), for the 357 [police officers in the] national watchlist, we have removed 122, we have retained 229 and delisted six,” Cascolan said in his first press briefing at Camp Crame as top boss of the country’s police force.

The six delisted policemen were already dead, according to Cascolan.

In an interview with INQUIRER.net, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac explained that the names of police officers in the drug watchlist are normally being removed due to insufficient evidence to back allegations that they are involved in the drug trade.

However, Cascolan said even those already adjudicated drug cases will continue to be evaluated by PNP investigators.

“Kahit na-adjudicate kita ngayon (Even if I have already adjudicated you), we will continue to adjudicate and evaluate you and we will continue to monitor each one of you, not only those who are involved in this list but all PNP personnel in our organization,” he said.

“Nobody knows, not even one of them knows if they were cleared or not. Nobody knows, we just told them they could go back, everybody could go back, and they can go to their areas of residences,” he added.

The 357 alleged narco-cops were earlier ordered recalled by then PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa and were ordered to report to his office at Camp Crame to ensure their availability for the adjudication process.

Cascolan said the PNP will conduct case build-up against those retained in the watchlist. He said police personnel tagged in the list will likewise be evaluated periodically.

“Adjudication is continuing. It will be evaluated periodically and we will do that not only to those who are not cleared but even to those who have been cleared earlier,” he added.

EDV [ac]