MANILA, Philippines — Amid controversies hounding the Philippine National Police (PNP) over alleged “inhumane” and “violent acts,” its chief, General Benjamin Acorda Jr., swore to deal with wrongdoings committed by the force’s personnel under the existing laws.
Acorda, in a Senate hearing on Tuesday, said the PNP is still committed to rid the police force of “undesirable members.”
“I would like to reiterate our commitment to continuously cleanse our ranks of undesirable members of the police force. Since the beginning of my term as PNP chief, I have constantly reminded our people to be mindful of their actions, especially to civilians whom we are sworn to serve and protect,” said Acorda in his opening speech.
“The few bad eggs who have refused to change their old ways have been charged both criminally and administratively. The PNP does not condone nor tolerate any inhumane violent and irregular acts committed by any personnel,” he added.
This particular hearing seeks to investigate the alleged “irregular and inhumane acts” perpetrated by some PNP personnel against Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental Mayor Samson Dumanjug.
The committee on public order and dangerous drugs probe was prompted by Senate Resolution No. 698 filed by Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.
Dela Rosa also sits as the chairperson of the panel.
Dumanjug, who sought Dela Rosa’s help by writing the lawmaker a letter, claimed that he was “forcibly ejected” from the Mayor’s Office of Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental by the PNP and unknown persons on June 16, 2023.
Dumanjug also claimed that several PNP personnel, along with unidentified men, did the following acts on the same day that he was ousted from office:
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physically broke the windows of his office
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disarmed and ordered his police escort to lie face-down on the floor
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aimed high-powered firearms at him
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forced him to a wheelchair and bounded his hands and feet to the said wheelchair
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wrapped his head with a malong, and boarded him in an ambulance
According to Dumanjug, he does not have an idea why these acts were committed against him. But during the hearing held Tuesday, Dumanjug’s daughter, Charlotte Dumanjug-Panal, claimed that PNP’s action was “politically charged.”
Acorda, on the other hand, stressed that he is personally monitoring the progress of the ongoing investigation into the incident.
“Any wrongdoing that’s committed in relation to this incident will be dealt with in accordance with our existing laws,” he stressed.
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Senate probes alleged violent acts by PNP vs Misamis Occidental Mayor Dumanjug
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