MANILA (2nd UPDATE) - President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday publicly named 5 police officers, including 2 already retired, allegedly involved in illegal drug trade, as he continued to press his campaign against drugs, criminality and corruption.
Speaking at the Philippine Air Force's (PAF) celebration of its 69th anniversary at Clark Air Base, Duterte said he ordered the following relieved from their positions:
- Deputy Director-General Marcelo Garbo Jr., (retired)
- Chief Superintendent Vicente Loot, (retired)
- Chief Superintendent Bernardo Diaz
- Director Joel Pagdilao
- Chief Superintendent Edgardo Tinio
Garbo (PMA Class 1981) and Diaz (PMA Class 1984) were in the news during the elections for supposedly meeting with the camp of presidential candidate Mar Roxas.
Loot was director of the PNP Training Service and director of Police Regional Office 8 before retiring. He is now the mayor of Daanbatayan, Cebu.
Pagdilao, a member of PMA “Maharlika” class of 1984, served as National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief. He was replaced by Chief Superintendent Oscar D. Albayalde, as ordered by Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa in his first day in office.
Chief Superintendent Edgardo Tinio, a member of PMA “Sandiwa” class of 1985, was the director of Quezon City Police District.
In his speech, Duterte said many have long suspected that there are police officials involved in illegal drugs.
"The truth of the moment is, itong mga ito, after so many validations, even when I was still mayor of Davao City, lumalabas na itong mga pangalang ito. Talagang lumalabas," he said.
He said that as President, he is compelled by a sense of duty to name the police officials "who have contributed to the deterioration of law and order in the country."
Duterte ordered the officials relieved of their positions and to report to PNP chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa. He also ordered the National Police Commission to investigate the officials.
"Do not give me a sarswela," he said.
Duterte asked the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to help his administration's "bloody fight" against those who protect drug lords and syndicates.
"It's going to be a dirty fight. It's going to be a bloody fight. I am not apologizing for it," he said.
"Anumang kaso, under the Revised Penal Code, in the fulfillment of your duties as public authority, akin 'yan, mine and mine alone. I assume full legal responsibility. Huwag kayong matakot, basta nasa tama tayo."
source: www.youtube.com / abs-cbs.com