By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered a stricter crackdown against erring personnel following the arrests of two active-duty cops facing rape and domestic violence charges in Metro Manila and Mindanao.
“Let these simultaneous arrests serve as a stern warning that our badge and our uniform will never be a shield against the law, and the Philippine National Police will aggressively hunt down anyone within our ranks who believes they can evade accountability,” Nartatez said in a statement on Sunday.
Nartatez said the arrest of active police personnel facing serious criminal charges should reassure the public that the organization is willing to police its own ranks.
“We are sending a clear message to the public that we will not tolerate any scalawags, and we will actively weed them out in the interest of integrity and trust in the police organization,” he said.
On June 20, the PNP-Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) arrested an active police officer in Quezon City for rape. Issued by the Taguig City Regional Trial Court, the warrant recommends no bail.
A Police Regional Office 11 Patrolman was also arrested on the same day in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte, by IMEG operatives over two domestic abuse cases filed by his wife under Republic Act No. 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act.
Authorities served warrants for violation of Section 5(i) of RA 9262 with bail set at PHP72,000 and violation of Section 5(a) of the same law, constituting slight physical injuries, with bail set at PHP6,000.
Nartatez ordered the immediate initiation of administrative proceedings against the involved personnel in accordance with PNP rules and regulations.
He further instructed IMEG and relevant units to intensify surveillance on personnel linked to crimes, illegal drugs, and domestic abuse complaints. (PNA)
