The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) conducts another surprise “urine” drug test at Camp Karingal in Quezon City on Monday. The test was part of the new Philippine National Police leadership’s efforts to cleanse the police ranks of scalawags.(MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) — Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Sr. Supt. Leonardo Carlos said on Tuesday that the investigations on the killings of drug suspects are still ongoing and that no case has been closed just yet.
Carlos said police are still investigating about 103 reported killings of alleged drug personalities from May 10 to July 3.
“Wala pa po, ongoing po ‘yan. As information come in, kung mayroon pong nakikita po ‘yung imbestigador natin na irregularity sa na-conduct na operation, kagaya po ng nangyari sa Pasay, ay automatic po ‘yung dalawang involved na police ay pinatanggal ng regional director habang isinasagawa ang investigation,” Carlos said when asked how many cases have already been closed.
In Pasay City, an arrested drug suspect and his father were killed inside a police station after the suspect allegedly tried to grab the gun of a policeman who was removing his handcuff.
The family immediately proceeded to the police staion and questioned the legality of the arrest, noting that the police had no arrest warrant against the suspected drug suspect.
In the television interview, Carlos said: “In these cases, we ask the complainants to submit their complaints para maimbestigahan po. Kasi immediately po after these killings, kami po ay nagsasagawa agad ng investigation.”
He explained that the anti-drug drive of the PNP is composed of two barrels: one targets the street-level pushers and users, and the other targets high-value targets.
“Tina-target po natin ang top 10 most wanted drug personality per region, per province at mayroong targets na sampu at the national level. Ito po ay based on intelligence report not just coming from the PNP but the other reports given by intelligence units,” he said.
Senate probe
Senator Leila De lima earlier said she will seek a legislative probe on the spate of drug personality killings.
“Halos araw-araw may mga namamatay and many of them are an offshoot of police operations so we have to look into the legitimacy of the manner of the method by which these police enforcers are doing their job,” De Lima said.
Should there be a Senate probe on the matter, Carlos said the police would be willing to participate.
“Ito po ay isasangguni sa aming Solicitor-General at kami po ay susunod sa ipag-uutos. Ngayon ay kami po ay susuportahan. Ang aming magiging abogado ay si Solicitor-General Jose Calida. Nagpahayag po siya ng suporta sa pambansang pulisya. Kung mayroong inquiry at investigation, titiyakin na totoo po itong in the aid of legislation,” he said.
Calida told the PNP on Monday not to be afraid of the inquiries that will be conducted by Congress on the killings of drug suspects.
“We will not allow anybody to derail this effort of the PNP and its officers to implement the order of our President, to stop this drug trafficking and drug menace in our society,” Calida addressed policemen during a press conference at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame.(MNS)