MANILA -- The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) vowed to continue to go after police “scalawags” including those involved in alleged illegal drugs’ recycling.
"We have been very aggressive in our intensified cleanliness policy against these scalawag policemen, that is the reason why we have been arresting policemen who were selling and using drugs,” said Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, NCRPO chief, in a media interview on Saturday.
Last week, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron Aquino said several sources have confirmed that corrupt anti-narcotics agents use the apprehended illegal drugs to either sell them or use them as planted evidence in false anti-drug operations.
“But we want to have a second look, baka merong pa-simple lang o magaling magtago (there might be some who are good at concealing it). We want to run after them," Eleazar said.
“My strategy is to make sure that new, fresh and clean police officers will wage the honest battle against illegal drugs,” he added.
He said they will not allow few unscrupulous uniformed personnel to ruin the campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte against rampant illegal drugs in the country.
Eleazar said some 500 policemen have been relieved over their involvement in illegal activities.
"As a result of this policy, our police personnel in all levels now maintain a keen eye on their companions for fear of getting penalized and their jobs jeopardized because of possible indiscriminate practices of the man next to him,” Eleazar said.
“Every policeman is now alert and vigilant, and fully aware of his surroundings. As a result, the NCRPO has not recorded any drug-related incident involving its active members in the past several months,” he added.
Eleazar met with PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino last week to compare notes and share information against the so-called ninja cops, or those involved in the recycling of illegal drugs.
He will also meet with other law enforcement agencies which may have some information on the identities of scalawag Metro Manila policemen.
"This should be a whole-intelligence community approach, a whole-government approach," said Eleazar.
He said public participation will also play a significant role in going after policemen engaged in illegal drugs. (PNA)
