PNP says they are teaching cops livelihood programs

September 2, 2019

Police General Oscar Albayalde on Monday said they are teaching livelihood programs to police officers to prevent them from doing illegal activities once they are dismissed or retired from service.

Albayade made the statement after the Philippine National Police- Anti-Kidnapping Group said there are former police and military officers who allegedly involved with Chinese loan sharks who kidnapped their co-national in the country.

He said there are really a lot of dismissed cops who are getting involved in criminal activities as this is the only business they know.

“They even engage themselves in the illegal drug trade usually. That is one of the problems we saw because it looks like they don’t know any livelihood,” Albayalde said.

“That’s why while we are in the service we teach them livelihood programs so that if something happens or they retire from service they can still do business,” he added.

The PNP chief also said it is important for them to monitor cops who are absent without leave.

Aside from casino-related kidnappings, Albayalde also cited kidnappings of Bureau of Internal Revenue officials were former police officers were allegedly involved.

“And it's not farfetched that they are also involved in POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators),” he said.

Based on their data, from July 2016 to July 31, 2019, a total of 2,476 police officers with various administrative cases were dismissed, 493 demoted, 4,240 suspended, 202 meted with forfeiture of salaries, 684 reprimanded, and 45 placed under restrictive custody.

Also, a total of 438 police officers involved in drug related cases were immediately dismissed from the service after undergoing due process.  Ella Dionisio/DMS