Duterte to cops: Gifts not bribes, take them

Police officers may receive gifts from generous and thankful benefactors, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Friday.

Speaking before police officers at the 118th anniversary of the police service in the country, Duterte said he did not consider gift-giving bribery.

“Kung bigyan kayo tanggapin n’yo. It is not bribery... What I mean is if there is generosity in them. Sabi ng anti-graft you cannot accept gifts. Kalokohan,” Duterte said in his speech before officials and members of the Philippine National Police.

He said he found no problem with police receiving gifts especially if from people expressing their gratitude.

“You guys from Davao, alam n’yo yan. If you are able to solve a crime  and the family would like to be generous to you or a feeling of gratitude for what you accomplished, by all means accept it,” said Duterte, the former mayor of Davao City.

Duterte is also a former government prosecutor.

Code of Conduct

Section 7 of Republic Act 6713—the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees—prohibits the solicitation or acceptance of any gift in the course of official duties or in connection with any operation being regulated by, or any transaction which may be affected by the functions of their office.

In his speech, Duterte indicated that it was also okay with him for police to be involved in illegal video karera operations.

Duterte said he didn't care if officers earned from the outlawed betting game in their area of responsibility.

“‘Yang karera sa inyong AOR,  inyo naman ‘yan, wala akong pakialam. Sige ibigay mo sa pulis," Duterte said at Camp Crame during the 118th anniversary of the police service in the country.

"Hindi mo rin talaga mapigilan. Alam mo 'yang pulis, even sa pamilya nila hirap ‘yan,” he added.

Duterte, however, warned police officers to control their greed.

‘Basta walang lokohan’

“Alam ko ‘yung laro. Basta wala lang lokohan.  If you are just content, maybe if you want P50,000 and you are able to get something like 25 or 20, be content," Duterte said.

"Do not allow your greed to run away with all the... alam mo na. Kalokohan,” he added.

Duterte said police officers should not be involved in illegal drug operations.

“I’m telling you to relay this message sa mga tao na just na rendahan mo ‘yung walang katapusan," Duterte said.

"Look at the police officers who are involved in drugs. You are a police officer of PNP, general kayo tapos papasok kayo (sa illegal drugs). ‘Yan ang mahirap. Do not ever commit the mistake,” he added. —NB, GMA News