Remulla clarifies claim of PNP ‘conspiracy,’ says only 41 cops involved

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday clarified his claim of a “conspiracy” within the Philippine National Police (PNP) to conceal crimes, stating that only 41 officers are being held accountable in connection with a 2022 drug case.

Remulla made the allegation on Monday after charges were filed against 30 police officers for mishandling a P6.7-billion drug case in Manila in October 2022. The National Police Commission (Napolcom) also found evidence against 41 cops in administrative cases.

READ: DILG’s Remulla sees conspiracy to conceal crimes within PNP

“Ang involved dito ay only 41 out of 225,000 policemen,” Remulla stressed at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on Wednesday, referring to the manpower of the entire national police force. “So, let us not brand the PNP as corrupt, rather only the 41 na nahanapan namin ng ebidensya.”

(Only 41 out of 225,000 policemen were involved. So, let us not brand the PNP as corrupt, instead only the 41 we’ve found evidence against.)

Napolcom also clarified that then PNP Chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. was not involved in administrative cases related to the incident.

“With regard to General Azurin and the criminal aspect, that will be for the DOJ to decide. As for us, it is only administrative, and, as earlier mentioned, he doesn’t have a case with us in view of his early retirement,” Napolcom Vice Chairperson Rico Bernabe explained partly in Filipino.

During the news forum, Bernabe detailed that the commission filed 56 administrative cases. Of these, 12 cases were dismissed, while three involved presidential appointees and were therefore subject to the decision of the Office of the President.

READ: Admin case vs 12 cops tagged in ‘conspiracy’ dismissed – Napolcom

Meanwhile, 21 officers were dismissed from the service, 16 were demoted in rank, and four were suspended for six months.

In response to Remulla’s explanation, PNP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said, “Ang sinasabi nila ay patungkol lamang dito sa nangyari na operation involving sa 990 kilos. Hindi ito reflective ng buong organisasyon. Nilinaw nila yan at nagpapasalamat ang PNP sa paglilinaw na iyan.”

(What they said refers only to what happened in the operation involving the 990 kilos of shabu. This is not reflective of the whole organization. They cleared it up and the PNP thanks them for the clarification.)

“Asahan niyo na makikipagtulungan ang PNP sa pag-prosecute ng kasong ito. Lagi nating sinasabi na hindi natin ito-tolerate ang sino man na gagawa ng illegal na activities, kahit ano pang ranggo niya,” Fajardo told reporters in Camp Crame via Zoom on Wednesday afternoon.

(Expect that the PNP will assist in prosecuting those involved in this case. As we always say, we will not tolerate anyone who does illegal activities, regardless of their rank.)

READ: PNP rejects claim of ‘grand conspiracy’ to conceal crimes within ranks

After Remulla made the allegation last Monday, the PNP denied the claim, stressing that if there was such a scheme, it was not “institutionalized.”

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