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Duterte vows to take up cudgels for police even after retirement
By RICHA NORIEGA,GMA NewsPresident Rodrigo Duterte said he would continue to take up the cudgels for police who would find themselves in hot water in the performance of their duty even as he would step down from Malacanang on June 30.
Addressing the new graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy for the last time in his six-year term, called on the police to stay true to their sworn profession.
"As my term goes to a close, wala kayong problema maski retired
nand'yan ako," Duterte said at the 43rd commencement exercises at the PNPA.
"And may be I will appear in court for you 'yung nasabit lang sa trabaho," he added.
“Mahal ko kayo. Mahal ko yung pulis," Duterte said.
Duterte was elected in 2016 after promising to stamp out crime and illegal drugs in six months.
His administration's first months were marked by his war on drugs, which many blame for thousands of extrajudicial killings.
The ICC prosecutor in November suspended its investigation on the war on drugs after the Philippines asked the tribunal to defer its probe to that of the national government.
“Huwag talaga kayong pumasok diyan sa droga. Do not. Ako performance of duty, I will defend you hanggang kamatayan," Duterte said.
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Duterte said the police should stay within the bounds of the law.
“Do not go out of your legal parameters, yung tama lang na trabaho ng pulis, pati alam niya ang obligasyon sa taong bayan (just the right job of the police, as well as fulfilling the obligation to the people)," Duterte said.
"We do not have any superiority with anybody, all of us [are] government workers and are expected really to work for the people,” he added.
He congratulated the graduates for hurdling their years of challenges during their stay in the academy.
The graduating “ALAB-KALIS” Class of 2022 is made up of 229 members who will join the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año announced that among the 229 graduates, at least 206 will be joining the PNP, 11 members in the BJMP, and 12 members in the BFP as lieutenant and inspectors.
Duterte also urged them to sustain the same level of courage, determination, and passion in the performance of their duty as the newest officers of the PNP, BFP, and BJMP.
“Always be reminded that the core of your profession is and will always be the welfare of our people, I thanked the PNP for being at the forefront in the fight against illegal drugs, crime, and terrorism over the past six years,” Año said.
“Although our war with lawless forces is far from over, I’m proud to say that we have made great strides in improving the crime situation in the country,” he added.
He underscored that his administration has also undertaken efforts to modernize the law enforcement organization in procuring vehicles, aircraft, equipment, and sea assets to provide the necessary support. —NB, GMA News