Cops told: Return to units, or else…

Policemen on the drug list of President Rodrigo Duterte gets a verbal beating from Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” De la Rosa when they surrendered to their commanders on Monday morning at Camp Crame, Philippine National Police Headquarters, Quezon City, August 8, 2016.
INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

The Philippine National Police on Wednesday warned that charges of insubordination and absence without official leave would be filed against its personnel who failed to report to their mother units or the inspectorate affairs service (IAS) after being included in President Duterte’s list of those involved in illegal drugs.

“Failure to report is disobedience to the commander in chief. We will hear their reasons why they were unable to report. They were given 24 hours to report so they should give explanation [why they were unable to comply] because they can be charged for being AWOL and insubordination,” PNP public information office chief Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos told a press briefing.

Carlos said those who reported to their mother units in the regional and police offices would be temporarily be placed in holding units and their supervisors must account for them at all times.

He added that it would be up to the investigators from the IAS if the policemen would be summoned to appear in person at the IAS office at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Carlos added.

Only 43 policemen showed up at the IAS office in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Monday, in compliance with Duterte’s instructions for those in his list to report to the authorities within 24 hours. They were asked to surrender their government-issued firearms and their licenses to own private arms were also canceled.

Carlos said the PNP was still collating reports from its regional and police offices who and how many of the 98 policemen linked by Duterte to illegal drugs have already showed up.

Meanwhile, Carlos confirmed the recall of six policemen detailed to provide security to three civilians in Duterte’s list, namely Ozamis Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., former judge Lorinda Toledo-Mupas and Pangasinan Rep. Jesus Celeste.