Philippine National Police chief Major General Benjamin Acorda Jr. (INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA)
MANILA, Philippine— Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Maj. Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. admitted being hurt seeing some of his men lying while being investigated on their alleged involvement on illegal drugs.
At a hearing in the Senate on Tuesday, former PNP chief and now Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa pointed out the “gravity” of the problem in the PNP with some rogue police officers being dragged into criminal activities.
“Please ibangon mo yung reputasyon ng PNP. Andyan ka inaasahan ka ng Pangulo na ibangon mo kung ano mang mga kabulastagan nitong mga tauhan natin,” said Dela Rosa, chairman of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs.
(Please restore the reputation of the PNP. The President is counting on you to rectify any misconduct committed by our personnel)
The committee is leading the probe on the alleged involvement of high ranking police officers on the so-called massive attempt to cover up the arrest of former Police Master Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo Jr. who was caught with an estimated P6.7 billion worth of shabu last October.
“Can you give that assurance to this committee na wala nang magiging investigation na gagawin yung committee on dangerous drugs na ganito kalaki under your stewardship?” Dela Rosa asked.
(Can you give assurance to this committee that under your stewardship, there will be no further investigations of this magnitude conducted by the committee on dangerous drugs?)
Acorda said yes, hopeful that the ongoing probe would already serve as an “eye opener” for erring police officers.
“Sa totoo lang sir, medyo nasasaktan ako e every time na nagtatawanan tayo at nagsisinungaling yung ating ibang police na mangilan-ngilan lang. Nasasaktan ako sir,” the police chief said.
(To be honest, sir, I feel a bit hurt every time we laugh about it and some of our police officers, albeit a few, tell lies. It hurts me, sir.)
“And I hope yung ating mga pulis ngayon na nandito, sana kung wala man respeto sa sarili ay respeto lang sa pamilya nila at saka sa uniform at badge na sinusuot nila hanggang ngayon,” he added.
(And I hope that our police officers present here today, even if they may lack self-respect, at least have respect for their families and the uniform and badge they wear up until now.)
Dela Rosa advised Acorda to show more teeth in getting rid of rogue police officers.
Acorda just assumed the top PNP post last month.