Cops on Duterte's drug list urged to surrender

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde is urging the nearly 400 PNP officers who are included in President Duterte’s drug watchlist to surrender and submit themselves to the legal process, saying it would be better for the policemen to turn themselves in to the authorities and clear their names in a legal proceeding.

“Puwede po nilang iharap ’yung sarili nila (They can present themselves), voluntarily surrender, to undergo adjudication,” he said over radio station dzMM.

A total of 391 police officers still in active service are included in Duterte’s watchlist of personalities said to be involved in the illegal drug trade. The highest-ranking officer is a lieutenant colonel and the lowest are patrolmen.

In the PNP’s own counter-intelligence watchlist, around 727 police officers have alleged links to narcotics and other illicit activities.

Albayalde said the police officers who would opt to surrender would be given a chance to air their side during an adjudication process.

If proven that they are not involved in illegal drugs and nefarious activities, Albayalde said the police officers will have nothing to worry about.

“We can adjudicate them and they can go on with their careers,” the PNP chief said.