PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday berated disheartened cops after he ordered them to “pack up and leave” for Mindanao’s conflict areas within two weeks as punishment.
Duterte, in a profanity-laced speech, ordered 228 errant cops from Metro Manila with varying offenses from shakedowns to extortion to prepare for redeployment.
“Prepare to move out. I’ll give you two weeks from now, 15 days,” Duterte said at a podium set up in front of the main Palace building to address the policemen lined up before him.
“I need police in the south. I lack police in Basilan because their stations are always being bombed. All of you here you are part of Task Force South, I will bring you to Basilan. Live there for two years.”
Duterte said the policemen who will refuse to be redeployed to Mindanao would have to resign.
He said he would also dismiss some of them but he would create a “battalion” composed of military personnel to watch their every move. He said this was necessary because, in his experience, policemen who were dismissed used their skills and contacts to commit crimes.
He cited the need to put up a squad composed of army, navy, and air force men to keep track of rogue former law enforcers.
“Most policemen, especially those who were dismissed, they are part of syndicates because they know many things. You are the most dangerous among criminals,” Duterte said.
He said the most vicious criminals were mostly ex-policemen and ex-military men, citing as an example the members of the notorious crime syndicate Kuratong Baleleng.
“I will create a battalion to keep track of your movements,” he said.
“You get into drugs, sorry but I won’t think twice. You will be the victim of extrajudicial killing, it’s true.”
PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa earlier admitted being ashamed for the policemen but added that the majority were there only for minor infractions.
