Authoritarian firebrand Rodrigo Duterte was sworn in as the Philippines’ president on June 30, after promising a ruthless and deeply controversial war on crime would be the main focus of his six-year term. / AFP PHOTO / NOEL CELIS
QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte promised policemen that his government would double their salaries and support them all the way in their anti-crime efforts, but warned the “scalawag” cops and police officials to resign before he gets to them.
Duterte, in his speech during ceremonies on July 1 in Camp Crame where the new Philippine National Police chief, Director General Ronaldo “Bato” dela Rosa was designated as the next top cop, President Duterte said that he would give the PNP men all that they need to fght crime effectively, including the equipment and the funds.
But he would not have second thoughts in punishing the corrupt and the scalawags in uniform, Duterte said.
“Do not bullshit with me,” he said.
“Do your duty, I will die for you. Do your duty and if in the process, you kill 1000 persons because you were doing your duty, and 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,” Duterte said as he was received a thunderous applause from the men in uniform.
The chief executive also said that he would not interfere in the work of the new PNP chief, since he has complete trust in the people he appoints. His only marching order is for them to do their job, and form the team who will help implement the work needed in the PNP.
“I told Bato, huwag tayong mapahiya sa Pilipino,” Duterte said, referring to an earlier conversation with the PNP chief.
“I will protect you, in all of your undertakings, adventures as a law enforcement guide, I will be there to protect you. I will provide you the funds. I will provide the weapons needed to fight crminality, particularly drugs,” he said.
Duterte said he hopes that after six months and one day, there had been a significant improvement in the fight against crime, particularly the drug menace.
He also warned the policemen who are involved in crimes or in corruption, that they better leave the force immediately.
“I will not run the country with a corrupt police,” he stressed.
Duterte also promised a major revamp in the police force.
The President, who had served as a lawyer, and a trial prosecutor for 10 years, and as a mayor for 22 years, said he knows all that there is to know about how rogue cops sabotage cases filed in court against criminals.
“Do not mess up with me,” he warned scalawag policemen. “Alam ko yan lahat.”
(Eagle News Service)