Photo courtesy of Office of the Chief PNP/Facebook.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. expressed deep dismay on Monday over the persistent involvement of police officers in serious criminal activities, promising a swift and uncompromising crackdown on “scalawags” within the ranks.
The PNP chief’s statement followed a series of high-profile incidents involving law enforcement personnel, including the recent killing of a policewoman and her child in Bulacan, as well as a robbery-extortion case involving several Manila officers.
“It is disheartening when the very people sworn to protect the public are the ones causing them harm,” Nartatez said. “We will not tolerate this. Accountability will be served, and we will ensure these individuals face the full force of the law.”
Nartatez emphasized that for 2026, the PNP is doubling down on its “6-Point Ethical Policing Guide,” a framework intended to serve as a moral compass for the 232,000-strong force.
He noted that the organization is moving beyond mere suspensions or demotions for grave offenses; the goal is now permanent dismissal and criminal prosecution to ensure erring officers never return to service.
The PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS) reported that while administrative cases have seen a slight decline, the nature of recent offenses—ranging from kidnapping to murder—demands a more aggressive internal cleansing.
Nartatez has ordered all regional and unit commanders to be held directly accountable for the conduct of their subordinates, warning that “leadership failure” will no longer be overlooked.
“We are building a culture of transparency,” the Chief added. “Our focus for this year is to restore the public’s full trust by proving that there is no room for criminals in a police uniform.”
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) backed the PNP’s stance, noting that reforms are being expedited to streamline dismissal proceedings and enhance the transparency of internal investigations.