MANILA – Following the inclusion of “war on drugs” poster boy Police Lieutenant Colonel Jovie Espenido in his latest “narco list”, President Rodrigo Duterte said policemen involved in the illegal drug trade deserve death.
In a speech at Malacañang, President Duterte vowed to get rid of tainted policemen even as he claimed that the number of so-called “ninja cops” has gone down to four.
“’Yung mga generals pati ‘yung ninja cops, and they are still around but are reduced to about apat na lang. And they will all die because may kasalanan sila sa bayan,” Duterte said.
He added: “Kung hindi ko na sila maabutan ‘pag hindi na ako mayor, babarilin ko pa rin sila pag nakita ko. Same whether I’m President or an ordinary… pag nagkita tayo at alam kong galit ka sa akin dahil sa droga, magbabarilan talaga tayo.”
Duterte said individuals who are a threat to the country will be killed by his hand as it was his “sworn duty” to protect the public.
“Let them worry about the death because I have to protect…my sworn duty is not to protect the people who are into drugs. My sworn duty is to protect the people and preserve the Republic of the Philippines,” Duterte said.
The Philippine National Police earlier revealed that 357 cops are under investigation in connection with their alleged involvement in illegal drugs. Fifteen of them have availed of optional retirement while 43 others had gone AWOL (absence without leave).
Department of Interior and Local Goverment secretary Eduardo Año on Friday confirmed that Espenido was relieved from his post as Bacolod City police deputy director for operations due to his inclusion in Duterte’s “narco list.”/PN