https://youtu.be/WZFne178mZU
(Eagle News) – More than 200 of the 300 rogue cops who are facing various administrative and criminal charges were turned over to Malacanang on Tuesday (February 7) where they received a severe scolding from President Rodrigo Duterte who told them they would be sent to Basilan in two weeks’ time.
There, they would stay there for two years to fight the Abu Sayyaf, and other insurgents.
A visibly very angry and disappointed President Duterte faced the rogue cops who lined up “in attention” position on Malacanang grounds.
But after facing the rogue cops personally in Malacanang, the President decided cleaning the Pasig River was too light a task for the rogue cops. He said that when he last checked the Pasig River, there were only a few water lilies left.
So he revised his order, and decided to send the rogue cops to Basilan instead.
“Kayo lahat kayo, padala ko kayo sa Basilan. Doon kayo ng dalawang taon,” said the President who was fuming mad.
He said that if the rogue cops get killed while in Basilan, they should just be buried there.
“Be prepared to move out,” he said.
He said he was giving the rogue cops 15 days to prepare for their transfer to Basilan or decide if they would remain in the Philippine National Police.
If they would not go to Basilan, he said he would dismiss them, and then they would face the consequences of their actions.
At the start of his remarks, the President initially directed the errant cops to clean up the Pasig River.
“Gusto nyo ihulog ko kayo sa Pasig (river) na yan. Magbalik kayo dito, magswimming trunks. Linisin nyo yang Pasig River. Inumin nyo kasi marumi tubig,” the President initially said.
But he changed his mind as he was speaking, as he got angrier at the cops who have put the entire PNP and the country to shame.
Duterte said he would create a battalion, a squad, to check on the activities of the rogue cops, as he stressed that most of the more vicious criminals are actually former cops or former soldiers.
“The most vicious criminals, karamihan ex-police or ex-military men. Kayo yan eh. Mas sanay kayong pumatay,” he said.
“Ewan ko ilang tao na ang pinatay ninyo na mga inosente, na walang kamuwang-muwang.”
“Kailangan ang isang squad to keep track of you. Kasi karamihan ng mga pulis pag na-dismiss, kayo ang nagdroga-droga, Kayo ang ma-extrajudicial killing,” he said.
“Pag umalis kayo, if you opt to retire, then behave,” he said.
He said six years from now, he would look for these criminal cops, especially those who have murdered people.
“Huwag nyo akong hamunan ng barilan, dahil papatulan ko kayo.”
The President had earlier asked the PNP chief to submit a list of PNP men facing various administrative and criminal charges, or those who had been suspended for being involved in crimes and other misdemeanors.
Duterte was so angry at one point, he walked away from the cops after warning them not to move and to stay “at attention,” saying he would kick anyone who moves. He then entered the Palace to attend a cabinet meeting.
The President earlier said he fought to have the salaries of all policemen to be doubled this year, because he knew that their salaries were not enough.
In fact, PNP personnel would receive the increase in their wages before the year ends.
But the President stressed that the low salary was not a reason for them to do crimes.
Not all of the more than 300 rogue cops were sent to Malacanang however to receive a dressing down from President Duterte, as 48 of them did not report back, while the rest have hearings that they have to attend to, said Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa.
Dela Rosa said most of the cops have cases dating back from 2014.
The President had earlier cancelled the retraining for the errant cops and said they should instead clear the Pasig River of water lilies. He later said he would also send them to Basilan.
“The retraining is canceled. I am countermanding the order of Bato. They report to Malacañang. You know why? I need to clear the Pasig River. My tugboat can’t pass through because of the water lilies,” the President earlier said, referring to his previous order to (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.
On Tuesday, an angry Duterte said what needed retraining and rewiring was the rogue cops’ brains.
Before the rogue cops faced the President, PNP-National Capital Region director Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde said that the police act of clearing the Pasig River of water lilies would not lessen their liability for their various offenses.
“Hindi ibig sabihin pinaglinis sila ng Ilog Pasig eh wala na silang criminal and administrative charges,” he said. “It’s just part of the punishment.”
