By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday reiterated its commitment to cleanse the organization of corrupt personnel as it intensified efforts against police officers involved in extortion and other illegal activities that undermine public trust in law enforcement.
“We are here to protect and not to exploit our vulnerable ‘kababayans’ (fellow citizens). There is no place in the PNP for police scalawags, particularly those police officers who extort money from the public for their own gains,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said, adding that this is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., through the guidance of Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, to rid the police service of corrupt personnel and ensure greater accountability within the ranks.
The PNP chief issued the warning following the arrest of a police staff sergeant tagged in an alleged extortion scheme involving the collection of “butaw” or protection fees from jeepney drivers for every trip.
The suspect was also identified in the killing of a jeepney driver in June at Katihan Bridge in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City.
Nartatez described such actions as a direct assault on the integrity of the organization and the reputation of thousands of police officers who perform their duties with honesty and professionalism.
“These police officers are nothing but a disgrace to the organization as they tarnish the image of the entire force, damaging the reputation of the good men and women of the PNP,” he said.
The PNP chief said efforts against erring officers would continue through sustained law enforcement operations and stronger accountability measures. He added that the organization is studying ways to further improve reporting mechanisms so members of the public can more easily report abuses committed by police personnel.
“The PNP continues to intensify its entrapment operations against kotong cops, and we are determined to file criminal and administrative charges against them, aside from weeding them out of our ranks,” Nartatez said.
Pasay cop faces Napolcom charges
Meanwhile, a police staff sergeant assigned in Pasay City police station is facing administrative charges before the National Police Commission (Napolcom) for beating and threatening his live-in partner repeatedly over nearly six years they lived together.
“Paulit-ulit na pang-aabuso, physically, emotionally at mentally. Paulit-ulit na pambubugbog sa akin (Repeated abuse, physically, emotionally and mentally. Repeated beatings),” alias Kara said at a press briefing on Thursday at the Napolcom Central Office in Quezon City, where she filed an administrative complaint against her partner.
Walking the media through home security camera videos that had spread widely online after she posted them, Kara said Miranda’s abuse began in December 2022, when he pointed a gun at her inside her own car. The abuse continued even when she was pregnant, she recounted.
Kara said she had complained against him before but did not pursue the case, hoping to keep their family together. She filed a criminal complaint for violation of Republic Act 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004, in Pasay City on Oct. 21.
Napolcom Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Commissioner Rafael Vicente R. Calinisan, said the acts shown in the videos amount to grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer, a grave offense punishable by suspension, demotion or dismissal.
“Due process, fine. But I don’t think there’s an excuse for someone hitting a female, multiple times at that,” Calinisan said. “I don’t think he deserves to be out in the streets, in the home with Kara and the kid. He deserves the heaviest punishment there is.”
Calinisan directed the Napolcom Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service to expedite the case and file the appropriate charges. He said he expects the formal charge within the week, after which said police officer faces preventive suspension.
He also said Napolcom will coordinate with the National Capital Region Police Office on Kara’s safety, after she told the media she fears for her life.
The police staff sergeant did not report to Napolcom at 8 a.m. Thursday as ordered, but was brought in later by his superiors, faced the media and admitted his wrongdoing.
He apologized and said he would accept whatever penalty the case brings.
His officer-in-charge said the staff sergeant has been relieved, disarmed and placed under restrictive custody at the district. (PNA)
