DAVAO CITY – President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday renewed his pledge to policemen to back them all the way in the campaign against criminality – even promising them pardon if they get convicted in connection with the performance of their job.
But he also warned police officers engaging in illegal drug trade that they will have a big price to pay.
Speaking to policemen in Ozamiz City, a day after slain Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog and three other family members were buried, Duterte said policemen have his backing and full protection and that they should not think twice about tackling threats to the welfare of the society.
“If you in the police or military get into trouble in the performance of your duty, I will never allow you to be jailed,” he said.
But the President said those facing charges because they did their job should have to undergo the process.
“There would be investigation, trial and conviction. But I will grant you absolute pardon, restored to full political rights. I would even say you should be promoted to the next higher rank,” Duterte said.
But he warned policemen not to lie to him.
“Just tell me the truth,” he said.
Scalawag cops
For those who were into criminality or irregularity, Duterte said he could not do anything about them.
He said in fact, he was offering P2 million as reward for anybody who could help neutralize policemen involved in the narcotics trade.
“If you want money, go after them. No questions asked. I would not be asking who killed them,” he said.
Duterte said aside from the P2-million reward, he might also give free tickets to Hong Kong for those who could kill scalawag policemen.
Duterte also repeated his warning that he did not care if unscrupulous individuals get killed in the anti-drug campaign.
“Whether they are mayors or congressmen, I don’t care,” he said.
Duterte said the drug problem was destroying the future of the country as many youths had been hooked into it.
“So who will buy the medicine of old people? Who will pay for their hospital bills?” he asked.
Freed from narcopolitics
Duterte said the police should “destroy the organization of drug syndicates” and should not spare anyone who was into it.
He said he already warned governors and mayors against involvement in drugs but some of them did not listen.
Commenting on the death of Parojinog, Duterte said Ozamiz was now free of narcopolitics.
“You are now freed from narcopolitics,” he said.
Duterte also brushed aside threats from the Parojinog family to sue policemen involved in the deadly July 30 raid.
“And you still think about suing? You’re making a fool out of the people of Ozamiz,” he said.
Duterte said he did all he could by warning people against involvement in the drug trade but they would not listen.
“I have told you, do not go into drugs because there would be no compromise,” he said.
Duterte meanwhile pinned medals to seven policemen involved in the July 30 raid that killed Parojinog and 15 others.
They included Senior Supt. Jaysen de Guzman, the Misamis Occidental police director, and Ozamiz City police chief, Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido.