PNP counter-intel task force nabs 60 rogue cops

Since it started operations last year, the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s Counter-intelligence Task Force (CITF) has arrested 60 policemen who were linked to various irregularities, the national police said on Friday.

PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. John Bulalacao said the arrested police personnel were nabbed in 24 separate counter-intelligence operations.

“This strong-arm effort of CITF complements the internal reform program of the PNP that has resulted in the dismissal of 398 police personnel since 2016 for various administrative offenses,” Bulalacao said in a statement.

Last Wednesday, PNP chief Dir. Gen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa ordered the dismissal of 398 errant cops, 151 of whom were found positive for illegal drug use.

READ: PNP fires 398 errant cops; 1,216 others get disciplinary actions

Bulalacao addd that since February 7, 2017, the CITF has received a total of 10,246 complaints sent by text messaging and phone calls.

Of these, 1,745 were processed and were acted on by CITF through discreet investigations, case build-ups, validations, and direct police interventions.

According to Bulalacao, among the complaints and reports received by the CITF which allegedly had the involvement of police officers included 309 protection rackets, 262 extortion cases, 238 drug-related complaints, 161 illegal gambling complaints, 75 “hulidap” cases,  19 physical abuse cases, 13 illegal logging cases,  six kidnapping cases, four gun-running cases and 383 other irregularities.

Most of the reports came from the National Capital Region with 471, followed by Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) with 189, Central Luzon with 128, and Central Visayas with 84.

Formed last year, the CITF is tasked to go after after rogue and errant policemen. Headed by Supt. Jose Chiquito Malayo, the unit is composed of 77 members of the elite Special Action Force (SAF).   /muf