Scolded cops leave mark on Palace heritage tree

MANILA, Philippines — The smell gave them away.

Some of the 102 policemen who received a tongue lashing from President Duterte could face another charge after they reportedly urinated on the century-old balete or ficus tree at Malacañang last Tuesday.

The stench emanating from the tree gave away the misdeeds of the errant policemen, according to the Presidential Security Group (PSG).

The PSG said the policemen were called on formation at the Palace grounds to be presented before Duterte. Some of them, however, did not bother to use the toilet located just five meters away, and instead urinated at the tree nearby.

The President was holding a command conference on the second floor of Malacañang so the policemen were told to wait.

After receiving insults and curses from Duterte at past 6 p.m., the policemen were told to stay in formation.

The President left the policemen after scolding them and returned to the joint command conference with his security officials.

Then Duterte returned to face the policemen at around 10 p.m.

“In your lifetimes, we will cross paths, I tell you,” he told the policemen about six hours later when he scolded them for being bad eggs in the police organization.

“Yes, sir,” the cops said in unison, responding to their commander-in-chief.

The President was joined by acting Interior Secretary Eduardo Año and Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde and other top officials.

Duterte then poured out his disappointment anew, telling the cops how he has been working to double their salaries and yet they still go rogue.

He then gave the policemen one last warning.

“I hope that you will not commit a mistake. Have pity on your families or you will end up being killed. OK? Go home,” the President said.

Unknown to the PSG, some of the policemen were unable to control their bladder. They urinated at the base of the tree, which has witnessed many historic events in Malacañang.

Earlier in the day, Duterte warned the days of police scalawags are numbered after he scolded them for their involvement in criminal activities and administrative offenses.

In an expletive-laden speech, Duterte said he has created a special team that will monitor the movements of the erring policemen and threatened to have them killed if they will not change their ways.

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