Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa (File photo)
MANILA -- The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said Vice President Leni Robredo's speculation that an attempt to cover up the 357 police officers in the drug watchlist has no basis.
"Wrong statement cause no basis. We will conduct adjudication (then) why would (she) say we're protecting them? Had we intend to protect them, why did we bare the 357 (cops)? And that's the last argument I am going to make with that statement," PNP chief, Gen. Archie Gamboa told reporters during Monday’s press briefing at Camp Crame.
Robredo on Sunday warned that any attempt to cover up the police officers allegedly involved in illegal drugs might erode the public’s trust in the PNP.
Gamboa said the ongoing adjudication of the police officers follows the internal disciplinary mechanisms.
“We need to act fast and act now on the adjudication of 357 PNP personnel whom I have ordered reassigned to my office to ensure their availability to face further investigation because I do not want to end my term as chief PNP in September without adjudicating with finality the status of personnel in the drugs watchlist,” he said.
He added that the PNP would still investigate the cops on the list who had gone AWOL (absence without leave).
Of the 357 policemen, a total of 43 had gone AWOL, 15 applied for optional retirement, and one cop is dead.
"It should be understood, however, that even if they avail of my offer to early retirement, it does not extinguish their culpability as determined by the investigation. If proven and there is evidence that you are still on the watchlist then we will still place you under monitoring and build cases against you," Gamboa said.
Gamboa has been insisting that he would not divulge the identities of the police officials included in the list.
“I would like to emphasize that all 357 personnel concerned are presumed innocent until the requirements of due process are completely satisfied. I beg your kind indulgence that the PNP needs to keep the identities of these personnel confidential incidental to their presumption of innocence,” he added.
Gamboa has given the PNP's National Adjudication Board, under Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan, a month to finish the validation of the information on these police officers.
It is the board that would take action against those on the list, Gamboa added.
"We ourselves are going to process them, adjudicate, and validate the information that they are involved and hopefully those who are innocent may clear their names but those who are not may face the full force of the law," Gamboa said.
Once completed, the findings of the PNP's validation will be submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte. (PNA)
