Gamboa toughens drive vs criminals involved in drugs

January 21, 2020

The new chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP)  on Tuesday warned criminals, especially those involved in illegal drugs, that policemen won’t stop until they are “destroyed and neutralized”.

During his Thanksgiving Lunch speech at Camp Crame, Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa said the PNP will reinforce the Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy under Executive Order No. 66 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Gamboa said the PNP operational thrust for 2020 will focus more on intensified intelligence-driven anti-illegal drug operations. particularly against upper and middle-level High Value Targets engaged in trafficking of commercial quantity of illegal drugs.

“May this serve as a warning for those lawless elements dealing illegal drugs especially those High Value Targets (HVT)... We will not let you go. Heed my words, with the guidance of our President, we won’t stop until you’ve been destroyed and neutralized,” Gamboa said.

Gamboa said all personnel who will be involved in illegal drugs will be treated with “severe punishment”.

He said erring PNP personnel will be reprimanded, castigated or be dismissed from the service if necessary.

“We pledged, as  police officers, to keep the country safe and protect the Filipino citizens. That is our mandate and we should remove all personal agenda. Starting from today, we will intensify our internal cleansing program. We need to clean our ranks so that we can remove the pests that are ruing our organization,” he said.

“We shall carry on with our various transformation initiatives and ensure that all of these are in line with our vision to attain a highly capable, effective and credible police service. We shall abide by the doctrine of good governance with emphasis on transparency, accountability and equality,” he added.

Gamboa said his directive when he was still the officer-in-charge will remain.

“They are still my standing orders. I want to put emphasis on the “no take policy” in whatever form or material or monetary consideration from operators of illegal gambling, drug dealers, including any form of bribe or “kotong” from analogous illegal sources. And to restore the importance of proper decorum, all personnel should render salute to superior officers and must show utmost respect; likewise, leaders must always think of their subordinate’s welfare,” he said.

“We cannot implement the rule of law if we ourselves violate the law,” he added.

Gamboa thanked President Rodrigo Duterte, Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano and other government officials for trusting him.

“With the responsibility given to me as the Chief, PNP, I am sincerely grateful to the trust and confidence of our leaders, humbled in achieving the most coveted position any police officer can hope for by being the Top Cop of our organization. I would like to express my utmost gratitude to our President, Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte, for acknowledging my sincerity and efforts in steering the PNP, amidst all controversies and setbacks, to the track of fulfilling its mission and mandate to serve and protect the country and its citizenry. To the DILG Secretary, honourable Secretary Eduardo Ano, thank you Sir for your unwavering support and guidance to the Philippine National Police,” he said.

“To the 205,000 strong PNP, I stand before you today not just the “Chief” but a father who will stand and support you till the end if you are doing your job the right way,” he said. Ella Dionisio/DMS