Filtered By: Topstories
News

Removing 'ninja' cops from service must not be through death —CHR


Amid President Rodrigo Duterte's remark on raising the bounty for "ninja" cops, the Commission on Human Rights on Sunday underscored that removing rogue policemen from service should not be by killing them.

In a statement, CHR spokesperson Jacqueline De Guia pointed out that erring cops must be removed from service, but due process and the rule of law must still be followed in investigating their alleged illegal activities.

"Ninja cops or scalawags in the police force, the Commission agrees, are a disgrace to the institution and therefore, must be removed from the service. However, like any human being, their lives are priceless too and should not be equated to any amount, however low or exorbitant it may be," De Guia said.

"Their removal from service must not be by death —which promotes vigilantism, perpetuates the cycle of violence, and [leads to] the breakdown of rule of law —but by due process that will afford them recognition of their rights," she said.

De Guia also said that these rogue cops also have human rights that should be respected.

"Affording them due process and their constitutional rights is by no means tolerance of their wrongdoings nor acquiescence thereto but rather adhering to time honored principles of respect for human rights and the rule of law," she said.

On Friday, Duterte announced that he would increase the bounty for each ninja cops from P3 million to P5 million.

"Kung dalhin mo 'yan sa akin patay, P5 million. 'Pag buhay bigyan kita diyes mil [P10,000]," Duterte said.

The Chief Executive also called on ninja cops to surrender to authorities within 48 hours.

Ninja cops is the tag given to police officers involved legitimate anti-narcotic operations but conduct illegal activities including reselling the contraband they confiscated from suspects.

Duterte offered a bounty of P2 million for ninja cops in August 2016, then raised it to P3 million in September last year. —Anna Felicia Bajo/LBG, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT