Drug gangs taking revenge on cops via character assassination –PNP

Amid the ongoing probe on police officers who allegedly had links to illegal drugs, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Brigadier General Bernard Banac said Sunday that drug syndicates were taking revenge on cops by spreading false information about them.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Banac emphasized that the PNP was upholding due process and the presumption of innocence with the police personnel in question.

“May pagkakataon talaga, even mga drug syndicates, ay gumaganti at ginagawan ng fake news ang ating mga pulis upang sila rin ay  masira ang kanilang pangalan, madiskaril ang kanilang career,” said the PNP's spokesperson.

“Hindi porket ikaw ay nasa narco-list ay guilty na… Maaaring paraan lamang ito para sirain ang pangalan ng mga pulis,” he added.

The PNP was thus dealing with the issue of police drug involvement with confidentiality.

Recently, Lieutenant Colonel Jovie Espenido, the police commander who led the anti-illegal drugs operation against the Parojinog clan in 2017, was included in the government’s drug watchlist.

While Interior Secretary Eduardo Año confirmed Espenido's inclusion in the list, Banac said the PNP would remain silent for the meantime while their adjudication process took its course.

A total of 357 police officers are being investigated over their alleged involvement in illegal drugs. — Joviland Rita/DVM, GMA News