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MANILA, Philippines — Police chief Guillermo Eleazar on Thursday said the PNP played an active role in reviewing drug war cases as it “strengthens” the transparency and accountability in the organization.
Eleazar made the reaction after President Rodrigo Duterte told the United Nations General Assembly that he had ordered the PNP and Department of Justice (DOJ) to review the conduct of campaigns against illegal drugs.
READ: Duterte orders review of conduct of war on drugs
“We have done a lot in terms of strengthening transparency and accountability in the PNP,” Eleazar said.
To recall, the PNP submitted the documents of 53 drug operations to the DOJ, which resulted in the death of drug suspects.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Eleazar said that the DOJ could be finished already with reviewing 53 drug operations.
“Sa pagkakaalam ko, tapos na ‘yung review nila doon, kaya magme-meet kami para pag-usapan, at ano ang dapat gawin,” he added.
(To my knowledge, that review has already been done; that’s why we will meet to discuss what we can do.)
INQUIRER.net contacted Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra’s office for confirmation, but he has not responded as of this posting.
READ: ‘Filipinos’ eyes and ears’: PNP launches use of body cameras
READ: DOJ starts review of 53 questionable drug operations
He noted that PNP takes “immediate action” in dealing with erring officers, distributes body cameras, and coordinates with DOJ on cases involving illegal drugs.
According to him, the PNP’s Internal Affairs Service reviews all police operations involving the deaths or injuries of both targets of the operation or police personnel to ensure that all officers are following the Police Operational Procedures.
“These all prove that we are not hiding anything and that there is no reason for us to do so,” he added.