(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte warned police officials and other uniformed personnel not to even think about engaging in corruption or illegal drug operations, as he swore in 59 newly promoted personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
He said that illegal drugs and corruption are the two things that he will not tolerate during his term.
“Corruption talagang ayaw ko at lahat kayo dumaan ng Davao, alam ninyo ‘yan. All of you who sojourned Davao at one time or another in your career, alam ninyo ‘yan na ayaw ko talaga ‘yang corruption,” he said in his speech during the oath-taking ceremony in Malacanang on Wednesday, June 13.
Duterte, who ran under a campaign promise that he will work to eradicate illegal drugs, criminality and corruption, warned the officials not to even think of using their position to protect illegal drug activity.
“I only promised you and if you kindly remember, I said I’d stop corruption, I will go against drugs, that I will talk to the enemies of the state so that we can have at least peace in our generation. And I said hindi ako makialam sa mga transaksyon sa gobyerno. Sa totoo lang ginawa ko lahat ‘yan at ginagawa ko hanggang ngayon,” he said during his speech.
The President told the police, coast guard, jail and fire officials, that he had already removed many of his cabinet men — even his friends — for even a whiff of corruption, citing a former cabinet official handling the Philippine National Police (PNP), sacked Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael “Mike” Sueno.
“Corruption, marami na akong tinanggal. Even the Cabinet secretary handling the pulis, kayo, pati ‘yung excessive travels and everything. ‘Yung corruption talagang, you know, hinihiritan ko and I have fired several guys, those even with me during my mayorship days in 1988. I was mayor for 22 years and most of you dumaan ng Davao, at least Mindanao. Kaya wala akong ano. I said I will stop corruption tapos hihiritan ko itong droga because it is destroying the nation. Marami itong corollary effects sa buhay ng Pilipino. Napakasakit. Then I said the law and order but I have to talk to the enemies of the state,” he said.
“Basta ako hindi ko na ulit-ulitin. Hindi naman tayo bata dito. Huwag kayong pumasok diyan sa corruption at ‘yang droga lalo na. ‘Yung mga drug, it’s destroying the country. You know that. Lahat ng… pati ‘yung mga mayor na ano, pati ‘yung mga pulis, at one time namatay, magtaka bakit ano kasalanan. Sinabi ko, “huwag kayong pumasok sa droga because if you do that, talagang I — God, I will kill you.”
In his speech, the President said he wants the newly promoted officials to embody the highest standards of excellence and selfless leadership at all times and not to settle for anything less.
“Let me take this opportunity to remind you that you bear the crucial mandate of protecting the Filipinos from the social ills that have delayed our progress as a nation. By heeding this honorable call to service, you must always keep in mind that the best interest of our people must always be your priority,” he said.
As he congratulated the newly appointed and promoted personnel of the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Jail or Jail Management and Penology and the Bureau of Fire Protection, he called on them to use their position to “promote the common good and actively serve our citizenry to the best of your ability.”
“I call on you to use your position to promote the common good and to actively serve our citizenry to the best of your ability. As these ranks are donned on you, may you always remember that the public demands a greater level of accountability, responsibility and integrity on your part,” the President said.
“Embody the highest standards of excellence and selfless leadership at all times. Do not settle for anything less,” he added. (Eagle News Service)