Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael “Mike” Sueno KING RODRIGUEZ/PPD
Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno on Tuesday called on the Philippine National Police’s Internal Affairs Service (IAS) to speed up its investigation of “misfits and scalawags” as the law enforcement agency continues its drive against illegal drugs and other forms of criminality.
“Recent investigations into police ops show that there are culprits among our ranks. That is not to be tolerated. Our
policemen have a sacred duty to protect our people from the threat of illegal drugs and ensure peace and order from the barangay level upwards. There should be no room for hypocrisy or grave violation of the PNP’s mandate,” Sueno said in a statement.
Citing a report submitted by IAS acting director Leo Angelo Leuterio, Sueno said the PNP has so far conducted 1,261
investigations on the deaths during police anti-illegal drug operations.
Of this number, 356 investigations are still pending; 27 policemen have so far been terminated; 302 cases dropped and closed; 547 charged with administrative complaints; 28 submitted for summary hearing proceedings; and one submitted to disciplinary authorities following the resolution of the case by IAS.
Unified efforts
Sueno called on the PNP to “unify their efforts in ridding the agency of criminal activity and addressing any irregularities within the force.”
Meanwhile, PNP-Crime Laboratory director Chief Supt. Aurelio Trampe Jr. reported on Tuesday that 167 uniformed and seven non-uniformed police personnel tested positive for illegal drugs during random drug tests conducted since January this year.
In a press conference, Trampe said a total of 159,129 PNP personnel have undergone random drug testing, with only a few still to be tested as they are on study leave, on trips abroad or absent without leave.
Director General Ronald dela Rosa had ordered all personnel in all police units tested for drug use.
Alarmed
Asked about the 167 that tested positive for drugs out of 159,000 policemen, Trampe said he was alarmed.
“I think it’s alarming because we are supposed to be implementing the law and they are violating the law they’re supposed to implement. No one in the PNP should be doing drugs,” he said.
The crime lab chief said those who tested positive would be subject to administrative charges.
Sueno also expressed dismay upon learning about the shooting incident last Oct. 9 in Gloria, Oriental Mindoro, wherein two junior police officers were accused of shooting an anticrime crusader.
The secretary said he was closely monitoring the progress of the case.