By Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla promised to prosecute Philippine National Police (PNP) officers who will engage in partisan politics.
“I will not hesitate to have them charged and to make sure that the due process of law is observed. You have seen my record. I have a very low tolerance for malfeasance, lalong-lalo na sa PNP (especially in the PNP),” Remulla in a statement on Saturday.
He cited how the DILG pursued cases against rogue officers tagged in the 990-kilogram drug haul worth PHP6.7 M billion in Tondo, Manila in 2022.
“’Yung mga kaso na ‘yan, ni-review ko kaagad at ngayon nakakulong na sila (I reviewed those cases immediately and now they are in jail), so I will not hesitate,” he said.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil earlier said the police would remain apolitical, impartial and committed solely to maintaining peace and order.
He said the PNP leadership would never condone political partisanship within its ranks.
Remulla also said he fully supports the “Kontra Bigay” (anti-vote buying) campaign led by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), saying that this should go hand in hand with a “Kontra Tanggap” (anti-receipt) drive.
“Dapat magkasama ‘yun (These two must go together),” he said, saying vote buying is a “cultural phenomenon that has to be addressed nationally.” (Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
