Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Bato dela Rosa said police officers involved in the drug trade should be dealt with “the full force of the law” and be made to pay for betraying their oath as law enforcers and for contributing to the growth of the Philippine drug trade.
“Hindi pwedeng mapatawad ang pulis na kasapi sa drug trade. Ito nga dapat tumutulong sa pagpapanalo ng drug war; hindi na nga nakakatulong, nakakasama pa,” said Dela Rosa, who admitted that it was always “painful” to learn about corrupt elements in the PNP.
“Masakit. Ang turing ko sa mga pulis, parang kapatid. Kasama mo sa hirap at ginhawa. Di madali maging pulis, lalo na para sa pamilya namin; araw-araw, umaalis ka ng bahay, di alam ng misis mo o anak mo kung makakauwi ka ng buhay,” said the senatorial aspirant whose platform is anchored on the promotion of peace and order and security.
“Government officials and employees caught violating provisions of RA 9165 shall be subject to the maximum penalties of the unlawful acts provided for in the law.”
According to Dela Rosa, President Rodrigo Duterte recognizes the sacrifices made by the police and armed forces, which is why he pushed for increases in their pay.
“Alam ni Presidente ito, alam nya ang sakripisyo ng pulis, kaya ginawa nya lahat para ipataas ang sahod ng mga PNP, ng mga sundalo. If, despite these efforts to improve your pay eh tumatanggap pa rin ang iilang pulis ng suhol mula sa drug lord, may mali talaga sa kanila, at dapat silang parusahan––kasi kasama sila sa mga taong naninira ng buhay ng kabataan, ng ating kababayan,” stressed Dela Rosa.
“The President on Tuesday acknowledged that one of the problems involved in winning the drug war was the involvement of some police officials in the drugs trade.”
The President on Tuesday acknowledged that one of the problems involved in winning the drug war was the involvement of some police officials in the drugs trade.
In a PDP-Laban rally in Malabon City, the President said he was hoping that information gathered by the PNP during Dela Rosa’s stint as PNP chief would be helpful to lawmakers.
“Ilalabas ko ‘yung dokumento bukas. Iyong paano maglaro ang pulis sa droga, ‘yung mga opisyal; at bakit hindi mahinto-hinto,” said the President.
Section 28 of Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 states that government officials and employees caught violating provisions of RA 9165 shall be subject to the maximum penalties of the unlawful acts provided for in the law. In addition to this, they will also be subject to “absolute perpetual disqualification from any public office.”
