Duterte threatens erring cops: P— ina, papatayin ko talaga kayo

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday berated policemen facing charges for illegal activities, saying he will have them "killed" should they continue their ways.

In an expletive-filled outburst, Duterte wondered why erring cops entered the Philippine National Police as he noted that the organization should only be for individuals who love their country and want to serve the public.

"Tumaas na ‘yung respeto ng tao sa ating mga pulis. Kayo 'yung salot. Hindi ko maintindihan p— ina. Alam mo sa totoo lang, prangkahan ko ngayon ang buong Pilipinas, 'pag ganun kayo ng ganun, p—ina_ papatayin ko talaga kayo. Masiguro ninyo 'yan. Wala na akong magawa sa inyo mga ulol kayo," he said in a brief address at the Malacañang grounds.

"I will review your cases. Kayong may mga kasalanan na sindikato sa droga, sindikato sa corruption, meron akong special unit habang buhay bantayan kayo at ‘pag nagkamali kayo nang konti, sabihin ko patayin kayo."

Duterte also asked how can the government win against communist insurgents accused of engaging in extortion and other illegal activities when the police themselves are involved in criminal activities.

"Hindi ako nagwa-warning na para pantakot. Nagwa-warning para gawin ko, ‘yan ang totoo," he said.

A total of 102 cops assigned in the National Capital Region, Central Luzon and Calabarzon were presented to Duterte.

The cops are facing cases for rape, robbery-extortion, kidnap for ransom, serious illegal detention, illegal drugs, grave misconduct, neglect of duty, and other irregularities.

It was the second time that Duterte faced erring cops in Malacañang. In February last year, Duterte ordered the police officers facing administrative charges to be detailed in Basilan for two years.

A total of 1,828 policemen out of more than 6,000 facing administrative charges were dismissed from service from 2016 until the first semester of 2018, the PNP said.

Of the 6,401 erring cops involved, 3,589 have been suspended, 362 were demoted, 403 were reprimanded, 147 were penalized with salary forfeiture, 43 have been stripped of their privileges, and 29 were restricted to quarters.

A total of 498 cops were probed for illegal drug-related cases, including 266 that tested positive of drug use and 232 were linked to drug activities. —JST, GMA News