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Cops to undergo lifestyle check: Cascolan

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan

October 30, 2020, 3:18 pm

<p>PNP Chief, Gen. Camilo Cascolan.<em> (File photo)</em></p>

PNP Chief, Gen. Camilo Cascolan. (File photo)

MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Gen. Camilo Cascolan, has ordered the conduct of a lifestyle check among police officers. 

"This would be made by the IMEG (Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group), together with IAS (Internal Affairs Service), so that we would be able to see what's happening with our people now,” Cascolan said in a presser in Camp Crame on Friday.

He said their morale is high.

Pero ano nga ba ang kabuhayan nila ngayon? Paano sila nagkaroon ng mga gamit na ganyan? (But what is their lifestyle now? How were they able to have these things?)," he said.

The move complies with President Rodrigo Duterte's order for a government-wide crackdown on corruption.

"'Yung kautusan ng Presidente natin, susundin po namin 'yan (We would follow the President's orders) by the book and we will strictly implement it to those people who are actually violating and coming up with corruption practices. We have stiff penalties with regard to that and they will be given sanctions," Cascolan said, adding that the PNP would file cases against erring cops if necessary.

Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año assured that the police force and other attached agencies under his office would cooperate with the task force that would go after perpetrators of corruption in government.

"We will cooperate, support and ito daw ay tungkol sa mga questionable na procurement. Naka-ready naman ang PNP kung ano man ang issue na sasabihin ng imbestigasyon. Marami na tayong mga repormang ginawa pero siyempre kailangan tuloy-tuloy. Meron pa rin mga bad eggs na kailangan tanggalin at tuloy-tuloy yung programa kasama ang National Police Commission (This is about questionable procurement. The PNP is ready for the findings of the investigation. We have carried out many reforms but we must continue them as there are still bad eggs who need to be removed from office. The program to get rid of them is continuous with the National Police Commission)," Año said in a radio interview.

He said the interior department has been relentless in weeding out corruption even before the President issued the order.

"In fact, marami na tayong mga mayors na nasuspindi at natanggal sa pagka-mayor dahil sa mga issue ng corruption. Maganda yung aming collaboration ng Ombudsman (and the) Office of the President (We have suspended many mayors and some have been removed from office due to corruption issues. We have a good collaboration with the Ombudsman and the Office of the President),” Año said.

In a recorded public address on Tuesday, Duterte said the justice department may prosecute and file charges against those involved in anomalies.

He added that the directive would be in effect until June 30, 2022, unless sooner lifted or revoked. (PNA)

 

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