PNP: 2 cops ‘moonlighting’ for Pulong Duterte to be discharged

Two cops and their commanders will be discharged from the service for allegedly moonlighting for Davao City Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Wednesday.

PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil said the two police officers were seen with Duterte in a viral video where he was seen assaulting a man in a bar in Davao City.

“Meron po kaming nakita sa video na apat po, dalawang pulis at dalawang armed forces. Doon sa dalawang pulis, they are not authorized, they are moonlighting,” Marbil said in an ambush interview.

(We saw in the video that there were four, two police officers and two armed forces personnel. For the police officers, they are not authorized, they are moonlighting.)

“Sinurrender po nila yung firearms nila pati IDs nila but they went [absent without official leave]. Madi-discharge po yung dalawang pulis namin for moonlighting kasama po yung commanders nila for allowing them, for not accounting,” he added.

(They surrendered their firearms and their IDs but they went absent without official leave. Our two police officers will be discharged for moonlighting along with their commanders for allowing and not accounting them.)

Marbil said the PNP will file a dishonesty case against the two cops that can lead to perpetual disqualification from any government posts.

GMA News Online has sought comments from Duterte and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) about the matter but they have yet to provide a statement as of posting time.

A businessman earlier filed a complaint for physical injuries and grave threats against Pulong before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in connection with the February 23 incident.

Based on the complaint, Duterte is accused of committing less serious physical injuries and grave threats under the Revised Penal Code.

Pulong has chosen to remain silent regarding the complaint.

“Sa mga kapatid kong Davaoeño, ngayon may nakita na naman kayong video. Matagal-tagal na itong nangyari. Ah sige lang, nasa sa inyo pa rin ang desisyon kung sino ang inyong ibobotong congressman sa unang distrito. 'Di ako makikialam,” he said in Cebuano in a video that was posted on his Facebook account.

(To my fellow Davaoeños, you have seen another video. It's been quite some time since this happened. Ah, it's okay, the decision is still up to you as to who you will vote for as congressman in the first district. I will not interfere.) —VAL, GMA Integrated News