Lorenzana: We don’t need problematic cops in Marawi

MANILA, Philippines – Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that the two abusive police officer sent to Marawi City are not the kind needed by government forces that have been fighting the Islamic State-inspired Maute terror group since May. 

Lorenzana opposed the reassignment of PO1s Jose Tandog and Chito Enriquez, who were caught on video hitting citizens in their custody, and asserted that the police and military need the best people to finally end the crisis in the capital of Lanao del Sur.

“Personally, sana huwag,” the Defense secretary said in a press briefing where he was seated a few inches away from Philippine National Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa. Dela Rosa had ordered the reassignment of Tandog and Enriquez to Marawi.

Earlier in the year, the PNP also transferred "scalawag" cops to Basilan, a move that was similarly criticized for making Mindanao seem like a dumping ground for erring police officers.

READ:  It’s Marawi for 2 abusive cops

“You should send me the best people here. We need good people to come here and fight this war. We don’t need ‘yung patapon (discards),” he added.

Tandog and Enriquez were deployed to Marawi on Wednesday after they were caught on a mobile phone video abusing two men for violating local ordinance prohibiting drinking in a public place past curfew in Mandaluyong City.

'We are not a trash can for Manila's cops'

Meanwhile, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong, who is also spokesperson for the provincial crisis committee, objected to Dela Rosa's decision and maintained that Marawi is not a trash bin for abusive cops.

“To use the Marawi Seige as a punishment shows insensitivity. Hindi po tayo dito basurahan para sa mga abosado at tiwaling pulis ng Metro Manila,” Adiong said on his official social media account.

“Erring cops should be sued with administrative case. What they need is to face accountability not temporary punishment,” he added.

The PNP chief, however, sees nothing wrong with sending erring cops as it is a chance “to reform themselves.” So-called scalawag officers who were sent to Basilan earned praise there in March for helping with relief efforts during flash floods in the island province.

“If you throw people here who are problematic, bibigyan lang natin ng problema ‘yung mga commander dito,” Lorenzana insisted.