PNP chief Cascolan wants lifestyle checks for cops

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan on Friday said he wants police officers to undergo lifestyle checks.

Speaking to reporters in Camp Crame, Cascolan said the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group and the Internal Affairs Service would lead the conduct of lifestyle checks.

"This will be made by the IMEG together with IAS so that we would be able to see what's happening with our people now. Maganda ang morale nila pero ano nga ba ang kabuhayan nila ngayon. Paano sila nagkaroon ng mga gamit na ganyan?" Cascolan said.

This move is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte's order to investigate corruption in the entire government.

Cascolan stressed the need to eradicate corruption in the police organization. He said the PNP has "stiff" penalties for officers involved in corrupt activities.

"'Yung kautusan po ng Presidente natin susundin po namin 'yan by the book and we will strictly implement it to those people who are actually violating and coming up with corruption practices," Cascolan said.

"We have stiff penalties with regard to that and they will be given sanctions. We will also file cases against them if needed," he added.

In an interview on Dobol B sa News TV, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año vowed that the police force would cooperate in Duterte's order. He also said the DILG as well as the agencies under it has been advocating for good governance.

"We will cooperate, support and ito daw ay tungkol sa mga questionable na procurement... nakaready naman ang PNP kung ano man ang issue na sasabihin ng imbestigasyon," Año said. — AOL/RSJ, GMA News