PNP ensures Robredo being fired from ICAD won’t affect drug war

The termination of Vice President Leni Robredo as co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) will not affect the government’s war against illegal drugs, according to Philippine National Police spokesman Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac on Monday.

"Hindi naman ito nakakaapekto sa patuloy na kampanya laban sa ilegal na droga lalo na 'yung pagtugis sa high-value targets," Banac said during a press conference.

"Makakaasa ang ating mga kababayan na patuloy na magiging relentless at walang tigil ang ating laban sa mga high-value targets alinsunod sa batas at procedures at paggalang sa karapatang pangtao," Banac added.

Banac, meanwhile, admitted that Robredo's ideas have been in line with the police's aim for the drug war to be more transparent when it comes to operations.

"Sa tatlong linggo na namalagi na co-chair ang ating Vice President Leni Robredo ay narinig natin ang kaniyang mga naisin, mga hangarin at ikokonsidera natin," Banac said.

"Tumugma ito sa direksyon din ng PNP na maging mas transparent ang ating kampanya laban sa ilegal na droga. Kabilang diyan 'yung paggamit ng body cameras."

Banac also expressed gratitude to Robredo for sharing her ideas which he said could help the administration's campaign against illegal drugs.

"Nagpapasalamat tayo sa kaniyang mga nai-contribute na ideas. Wala naman tayong panghihinayang dahil tayong mga lingkod ng bayan ay maaaring mawala sa puwesto anytime," Banac said.

On Sunday, the Palace announced that President Rodrigo Duterte has fired Robredo as co-chairperson of ICAD.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte's move was in response to the suggestion of Liberal Party President, Senator Francis Pangilinan, to just fire Robredo from her post.

Panelo further said Duterte has fired Robredo due to the dare of the latter to the President to remove her as co-chairperson of ICAD after Duterte had bared that he does not trust Robredo.

In her two-week stint as ICAD chairperson, Robredo met with key officials from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Dangerous Drugs Board, Department of Health, among others.

The Vice President also tried to request from law enforcers the list of high-value targets in the drug menace. According to the PDEA, it is willing to provide Robredo with the high-value target drug list, but only in a closed-door meeting and in the presence of personnel with the proper security clearance.

Reporters tried to reach PNP officer-in-charge Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa for comment as regards Robredo's termination from her post. However, he refused to give a statement. —KG/KBK, GMA News