President Rodrigo R. Duterte vowed zero tolerance on Friday for abusive law enforcers, particularly those protecting criminals and drug lords.
”(So) beginning from now, I will not tolerate…, zero tolerance for abuses committed by the law enforcement agencies, including the National Bureau of Investigation,” President Duterte said in his speech during the change of command ceremony of the Philippine National Police (PNP) at Camp Crame, Quezon City.
New PNP Chief Police Director General Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa, for his part, also warned police generals suspected of coddling drug lords, giving them 48 hours to surrender.
President Duterte said he was mayor for 22 years of Davao City and “I know how you handle your work.”
”I know how good you are but I also know that sometimes you can become a bad boy in the organization. Those police scalawags, I will look at your records,” President Duterte told the PNP members.
”I say do not mess up with me. I am not challenging anybody but do not ever take it against me, kasi talagang hihiritan ko kayo. You commit crimes, then you are charged,” he added.
He urged the police and other law enforcers to avoid the company of the drug lords and criminal syndicates.
”You know these drug lords and budding criminals would always want to have their pictures taken with the mayor, with the commanders, with the military, with the police, just to build a reputation around them for invincibility. That’s how it is done,” President Duterte said.
”You know that, I know that, and we all know that. Then they would show the pictures, they put it in their offices so that when there is a BIR or whatever harassment, they would always send this subliminal message na “kilala ko,” “I know the mayor,” “I know the…” You know, avoid it — do not taint yourselves in the company of known criminals and criminal syndicates. You will be sorry,” he added.
President Duterte called on the police generals who are tainted with corruption and drugs to resign, because “you have no more future in the police force.”
”Joke with anybody else but not with me because I have my orders from President Ramos: ‘Do what is good for the country.' And he is the number one policeman thereabout now,” Duterte said, referring to former President Fidel V. Ramos, who was present during the assumption of command ceremony.
The President also warned the corrupt PNP officials and officers to stop their illegal activities such as converting gasoline into cash.
”Ang presinto, meron lang papel and they have just to liquidate with nothing. They have to invent reasons how it was spent. Do not do it! Never again,” he said.
Duterte promised to provide the law enforcement agencies with protection and funds to acquire weapons they will need to fight criminality, particularly drugs.
”I may not be able to stop it on time, on the sixth month. But certainly after six months and one day, matapos na sana lahat. I will not run this country with a corrupt police,” he said.
In return, Duterte promised that “by the grace of God,” he will double the salary of the police as well as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
President Duterte said the AFP must help the PNP in solving the illegal drug problems.
”And if there is a resistance that would place your life in jeopardy, then by all means, shoot and shoot him dead. That is my order,” President Duterte said.
”Do not bullshit with me but do your duty, I will die for you. Do your duty and if in the process you kill 1,000 persons because you are doing your duty, I will protect you. And if they will try to impeach me, I will hurry up the process and we go out of the service together,” the President added. (PNA)
