More than 700 Manila cops sacked in corruption and crime crackdown

Manila cops
FILE PHOTOGRAPH. Metro Manila police officers pictured in 2015 by Patrick Roque. Via Wikimedia Commons.

More than 700 Metro Manila cops have been dismissed from service as part of a city-wide crackdown on corruption and illegality.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) today  (Wednesday, July 3) confirmed that 711 erring cops had been sacked as part of an internal “cleansing programme”.

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Of those dismissed, 24 were charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002; 30 were fired for human rights violations; 39 were indicted for robbery or extortion; five were accused of physical injury complaints, 236 have other grave cases and 377 went AWOL (Absent Without Official Leave).

The capital’s police chief Major General Guillermo Eleazar has urged the public to help the police to weed-out rogue Manila cops.

“The PNP [Philippine National Police] with our chief, General Oscar Albayalde, leading the way, is determined to rid our ranks of undeserving policemen,” he said.

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The NCRPO chief also encouraged victims of rogue cops to come forward with information about their behaviour.

Meanwhile, he has instructed all senior police to closely supervise their personnel to maintain discipline and order within the ranks.

The five districts covered by the NCRPO are the Manila Police District, Quezon City Police District, Northern Police District, Southern Police District, and Eastern Police District.

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Previously, national police chief Gen. Albayalde has reminded all police personnel that he would never tolerate illegal acts or wrongdoings committed by anyone within their ranks.

“When a recruit takes his oath as a professional police officer, he automatically loses or waives some of his rights in favour of organisational discipline, duties and responsibilities,” he said. 

“So, being scolded, reprimanded, bawled out, or dressed down for misdemeanour, misconduct or commission of crime is just part and parcel of his life being in the uniformed service.

“This is a stern warning to all PNP personnel. We will be adding more teeth to our campaign against those rogues and scallawags among our ranks. We will not hesitate to relieve any official from their posts should any incident like this extortion and robbery case would happen again.”

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