THE ADMISSION of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) that there are scalawags in the police office (such as those involved in illegal drugs, among other shenanigans) is worrisome. But the public is actually not surprised. It is therefore most welcome that the police force itself is moving to address corruption within its ranks.
The focus on rogue cops as ordered by Secretary Abalos deserves public support. The call for a mass courtesy resignation of generals and colonels â and soon even lower-ranked police personnel â may be viewed as a positive action although not a few have serious reservations. This call could be a free pass for the scalawags to evade prosecution.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) leadership must address illegal activities, corruption and the culture of impunity in its organization. This is the same mentality that has given rise to the killing of suspects while in detention, the torture of detainees, police violence against peaceful protesters. There is a need for systemic measures to prevent abuses by those tasked to stop criminality.
To be fair, corruption and impunity in the PNP did not come about only during this Marcos administration. It has been around as long as the police have been committing human rights violations and engaging in corruption. Past administrations failed to hold the police accountable for numerous crimes. We need only to recall the tortures and killings during Martial Law, the Mendiola Massacre, âsalvagingâ, the Kuratong Baleleng rubout, the Dacer-Corbito murders, the Luisita Massacre, the Euro Generals corruption case, and Mamasapano, among others.
If the Marcos administration is really serious in reforms within the PNP, it must end the reign of impunity and corruption within the organization.
