387 erring cops to face Duterte, clean Pasig River

MANILA, Philippines —  Hundreds of cops from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) are facing a community-service style of punishment and a rebuke from President Rodrigo Duterte himself at Malacañan before undergoing retraining in Subic.

Philippine National Police Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said Monday he will present to the president 387 NCRPO cops who are facing minor offenses.

The PNP chief said Duterte requested the services of the erring cops to clear the Pasig River of water hyacinths clogging the pathway from Malacañan Palace to Bahay Pangarap.

“The order of the president is to have these 300 plus policemen from NCRPO due for retraining to the values leadership school doon sa Subic… bago ang retratining or instead na ipa-retrain, ipinapa-report muna sa Malacanang para magstart sila maglinis sa Pasig River,” Dela Rosa said at a press briefing at Camp Crame.

READ: Rody: No retraining of rogue policemen

Dela Rosa said the erring cops are “reformable” and will not face separation from service since offenses committed were absences in duty or late reporting for work.

“Itong mga light offenses pwede pa sila ma-rehab, so ‘yan pinagaaralan namin sana mag-undergo ng retraining sa values leadership school sa Subic but since the president has ordered otherwise ‘dun ‘yan magrere-report sa Malacanang,” he continued.

“Unlike ‘yung mga grave offenses na talagang involved sa crime, sa heinous organized crimes, we consider these policemen as beyond economical, moral and spiritual repair so itong mga ito sisibakin,” the nation’s top cop added.

Counter-intelligence

In order to clean their own ranks, the PNP, meanwhile, launched the Counter Intelligence Task Force where public can air their complaints.

Aside from government’s hotline 8888, the PNP opened a direct phoneline 0998 970 2286 to accept reports of extortions, undisciplined, abusive and erring officers.

“Mayroon tayong mga investigators, ‘yung component ng counter intelligence operatives from the intelligence group, ‘yung ating tactical units from SAF andyan na rin kaya nga we call it a task force dahil kumpleto yan, may imbestigador, counter-intelligence operatives para ma-validate at ma-investigate ‘yung information,” Dela Rosa said.

The PNP is shifting its focus on anti-crimes after Duterte ordered them to stop conducting anti-illegal drug operations.

“Wala tayo sa war on drugs, focus tayo sa murder, homicide, theft, robbery, physical injuries, carnapping, motornapping and rape dyan kami we will account the accomplishments of our units along these seven focused crimes.