Robredo asks PNP leadership not to cover-up rogue cops

February 16, 2020

Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday said nothing will change in the government’s campaign against illegal drugs if the Philippine National Police will keep on covering up rogue cops being involved in the narcotics trade.

In a radio interview, Robredo said the PNP should assure the public that they are punishing cops who are found abusing their powers.

“For the institution not to be affected, police officials should show that they are serious in punishing those who are abusive...if they will show that they are trying to cover up, this is where the erosion of trust of people starts,” she said.

Robredo's statement came following allegation that Police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido, one of the poster boys of President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs, was included in the list of 357 cops involved in illegal drugs. But Malacanang said Duterte believes that Espenido was "clean."

The PNP leadership also offered early retirement for the 357 cops reportedly included in Duterte's drug list.

The vice president recalled that when she was still the co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Illegal Drugs and pointed out about the problems, those in the position even criticized her.

"When I was still in ICAD, instead of showing they are not tolerating the abuses, they are mad when being pointed out,” she said.

“It is very important for this campaign that the institution is being trusted. If the institution is the one covering up, that is a big problem. They should be the one exerting effort to show to the people that one, they are not tolerating wrong doings. But what is happening now, when it was only an ordinary person, they have no right to defend themselves – you are just killed – but if you are a policeman, you are presumed innocent,” she added.

Though she has no right to neither confirm nor deny Espenido’s alleged involvement in illegal drugs, Robredo said they received information that there were really cops who were abusing their powers.

She also called out the optional early retirement offered by PNP chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa to the 357 cops allegedly included in the President’s drug list.

“(Early retirement) with benefits… So for us, as long as this attitude of PNP leadership doesn’t change, we will not have any hope,” Robredo said.

In a separate interview, Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac said for the last three years, more than 12,000 cops were punished among their ranks.

“Of the 12,000, around 2,400 were dismissed from the service and around 4,000 were suspended,” he said.

Gamboa earlier said opting for an early retirement does not mean the relieved cops were already off the hook and once proven they are involved in illegal drugs, they will be included in the civilians list.

He said they will pursue those who retired and be found guilty of being involved in illegal drug trade.

As of Friday, 15 cops already availed of early retirement while 43 were marked absent without leave (AWOL) for failing to report to Gamboa's office. Ella Dionisio/DMS