‘PNP won’t be affected if US pulls out aid’

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police would not be affected if a US Congress bill seeking to withdraw assistance to Philippine security forces becomes a law, PNP chief Gen. Camilo Cascolan said yesterday.

While the US extends assistance to the PNP through sponsored education, training, conferences and joint exercises, Cascolan said the national police is unfazed by the proposed termination of the Western power’s security aid.

He said what is important for the PNP is the support of President Duterte.

Cascolan made the statement following the introduction of a bill before the US Congress by Pennsylvania Rep. Susan Wild that sought the suspension of US support to Philippine military and police forces.

“For as long as the PNP has the support of President Duterte, that’s what we’re in. US assistance termination is nothing. For as long as the President supports the PNP, we are very, very happy,” Cascolan said.

“If they pull out their support from us, in no way will it affect the PNP. As long as we have the support of President Duterte, we will be doing our job and the morale of the PNP is still very high,” he added.

The PNP chief, who earlier denied the existence of extrajudicial killings in relation to the drug war, admitted that there were police officers who violated human rights and breached laws.

Cascolan said policemen involved in illegal activities have been charged in court.

He has rejected the call of the United Nations human rights chief for the Philippine government to scrap policies in the campaign against drugs that allegedly led to killings and human rights violations.

Government estimates showed that a total of 5,810 drug suspects have been killed in 178,348 anti-narcotics operations since 2016.

Some local and international rights groups, however, said the numbers could be higher.