Cop in Duterte drug list of 257 policemen shot dead: Gamboa

February 17, 2020

The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said one of the 357 cops allegedly in President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug list is dead.

In a press briefing, Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa said the cop was killed three days before they released the list.

“I think before we came up with the list, two or three days before… he was shot,” he said.

According to Gamboa, out of the 357 cops in the list, fifteen availed of early retirement while 43 were marked absent without leave (AWOL).

Gamboa said he will not warn 43 cops who did not report to his office.

“No I don't have to give them warning because they are already marked AWOL... what could be the justification that you have not reported? Usual excuse is medical but remember at the first instance that you are to be admitted in a hospital within 24 hours by fastest means of communication you should inform your office,” Gamboa said.

“Now there is a question on due notice because how will I know if I don't know that I am supposed to report? Under PNP regulations, once that is serves on office where you are last assigned then that's a valid notice in administrative proceeding…  and within 24 hours if you do not report you can be marked AWOL and I don't seen any good reason that they can pursue why they did not report,” he added.

Gamboa said the 357 personnel concerned are presumed innocent until the requirements of due process are satisfied.

''I beg your kind indulgence that the PNP needs to keep the identities of these personnel confidential incidental to their presumption of innocence,'' he said.

“On the ongoing adjudication of 357 PNP personnel, following our own internal PNP disciplinary mechanisms, we want to show the public that we can pursue internal cleansing and maintain order and discipline in our ranks to earn the trust and confidence of the president and the people,” he said.

“We need to act fast and act now on the adjudication of 357 PNP personnel whom I have ordered reassigned to my Office to ensure their availability to face further investigation because I do not want to end my term as Chief PNP in September without having adjudicating with finality the status of personnel in the drugs watchlist,” he added.

Despite the PNP chief’s request to not disclose the name of any persons involved in the list, it was confirmed last week Police Lieutenant Colonel Jovie Espenido, who led two controversial anti-drug operations in 2016 and 2017, was in the list. Ella Dionisio/DMS