MANILA -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte's offer to reward policemen, who can catch or even kill their superiors who are involved in illegal drug trade.
“Kami po sa (We in the) PNP, we truly appreciate the extraordinary encouragement of President Duterte to do our utmost best in performing our job as law enforcers but to us it is our sworn duty to enforce the law without fear or favor or without any expectation of any reward,” PNP spokesman, Chief Supt. Benigno B Durana, Jr. told reporters on Wednesday.
“This is within the authority of the President for him to give rewards for those who achieve operational accomplishments," he added.
With the President's unwavering support, Durana said the PNP and other uniformed services will remain committed in performing its mandate to uphold the rule of law and pursue the campaign against illegal drugs, criminality and corruption
Durana also assured that the PNP will not tolerate the abuses committed by its personnel.
“We have a lot disciplinary authorities while we can be swift in seeking justice against the victims of crime we are stricter in making sure that those who erred, offenders within our ranks are immediately punished,” Durana said.
Duterte made the offer as he commended the Counter Intelligence Task Force-Philippine National Police (CITF-PNP) for killing Supt. Santiago Ylanan Rapiz of the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Police Office during buy-bust operations in Barangay Miputak, Dipolog City on Monday.
Rapiz was reportedly among those on the government's list of so-called "ninja cops" or rogue policemen involved in recycling apprehended illegal drugs.
He said the illegal drugs problem is “already a national conflagration” destroying the nation due to policemen and even local government officials conniving with illegal drug syndicates.
Duterte said he would not tolerate policemen involved in drugs, reiterating his offer of PHP3 million for the arrest of ninja cops. (PNA)
