CASES VS. ERRING COPS. The PNP-Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group presents a pie chart with the breakdown of 124 arrested police officers Thursday (Oct. 3, 2019). Most of the erring cops have the ranks of patrolman, corporal and staff sergeant. (Photo courtesy of PNP-IMEG)
MANILA -- As part of its internal cleansing program, the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG), the anti-scalawag unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP), has already filed cases against 250 erring cops.
Based on the data of IMEG from February 2017 up to September 11, 2019 released Thursday, the group has filed criminal complaints against 124 arrested PNP personnel involving 10 Police Commissioned Officers (PCOs), 113 Police Non-Commissioned Officers (PNCOs) and one Non-Uniformed Personnel (NUP).
Meanwhile, 126 complaints filed through regular filing were referred to the Department of Justice (DOJ) against 13 PCOs and 113 PNCOs.
Out of 101 cops facing administrative cases resolved by the Internal Affairs Service (IAS), 65 were dismissed from the service, five were suspended from their work, two were exonerated, four were demoted in rank and 25 were considered case dismissed or closed.
Most of the erring cops who were arrested have the ranks of patrolman, corporal and staff sergeant.
Aside from 250 cops facing cases, 224 personnel from other law enforcement agencies are also facing charges filed by IMEG.
Earlier, PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde said the newly formed enforcement group replaces the two-year-old Counter-Intelligence Task Force (CITF), and was designed to conduct intelligence buildup and law enforcement operations against PNP personnel who are involved in illegal activities, such as drug and human trafficking, financial crimes, cybercrime, malversation, graft and corrupt practices, and security violations.
IMEG is the primary unit for information gathering and conduct of offensive operations against erring police personnel.
He said the commander of the now-defunct CITF, Col. Romeo Caramat, will serve as the functional authority of the group with 306 uniformed personnel, consisting of 55 commissioned officers and 251 non-commissioned officers.
“The PNP's internal cleansing will be relentless and will continue on until all rogue cops especially those involved in illegal drugs will be weeded out from the service and charged in court,” Albayalde said.
Albayalde said the PNP supports the President’s desire to impose stiffer sanctions against police officers found to be engaged in recycling of drug evidence.
“Pilferage and recycling of drug evidence by members of law enforcement is certainly worse than the crime committed by drug traffickers and therefore should be treated differently, possibly with stiffer punishment,” Albayalde said.
Albayalde warned all police personnel that he would never tolerate illegal acts or wrongdoings committed by anyone within their ranks. He reiterated that the PNP is serious in enforcing culture change and character transformation among police officers. (PNA)
