Marcos: Review of some cops’ alleged drug links finished soon

The government's review of the alleged involvement of some police officers in the illegal drug trade will be completed in two weeks, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Tuesday.

In a speech before the 1st Joint National Peace and Order Council (NPOC) and Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) Meeting in Malacañang, Marcos said the action could not be taken against erring officers based on unverified information.

“Kaya naman ating ginawa ‘yung review, mga official sa police at dahan-dahan... malapit nang matapos. I think in another two weeks or so, we'll be able to finish that. We'll be able to review all of that," Marcos said during the 1st Joint National Peace and Order Council (NPOC) and Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) Meeting in Malacañang.

"It's a very complicated system, and it's a very complicated situation. Hindi naman tayo puwedeng umaksyon on the basis ng tsismis. We cannot move on that basis. We have to be very careful because we have to [be] fair. It has to be just," Marcos added.

Marcos said the government had nothing against the police force because "it is the administration's partner in peace and order."

He asked the members of the police organization to work with his administration.

"The police have to be with us. They have to be on our side. We cannot do it without them. Ganun lang kasimple ‘yun. We have to have a good functioning police force," Marcos said.

“Now, but there should be also a mechanism where those who have succumbed to temptation must be brought to account para naman mabuwag natin ang mga ganyang klaseng sistema," he added.

Marcos further called on council members to address the country's two main peace and order problems: the rise in political violence and violence stemming from competition among drug syndicates.

He said the Philippines should tackle the peace and order problem to avoid being "mired in violence and disarray" similar to what is happening in other countries.

“We have seen it happening in other countries around the world. Huwag tayong... huwag nating pabayaang mapunta ang Pilipinas doon sa ganung klaseng sitwasyon. Bakit? That’s when governments fail, that when nations fail, and wala na tayong maaasahan,” Marcos said.

Recently, police officers were tagged in the P6.7-billion drug haul in Manila. Among those tagged was now-dismissed Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr.

The Philippine National Police earlier said there was no attempt to delay the investigation into Mayo’s supposed involvement in the illegal drug operations. —NB, GMA Integrated News