PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Officer-in-Charge, Lieutenant General Vicente D. Danao Jr. has sternly warned the few remaining rogues in uniform‘ to shape up or ship out’ or end up in jail or worse, six-feet underground in case they put up an armed resistance while about to be arrested.

The angry top cop renewed the warning as he confirmed that he continues to receive reports about the involvement of some police misfits and scalawags in illegal activities including the illegal drug trade.

Thus, he warned the defiant ones to stop or he will ‘change’ their lives.

“Yung mga iba dyan, na hanggang ngayon ay ayaw tumigil sa pag-proliferate ng illegal na droga. I would like to address this to the men in uniform of the PNP. Meron pa rin sa atin, mangilan-ngilan, I’m giving you a stern warning, nakikiusap ako sa inyo, please put a stop to these illegal drug menace,” he said.

“Nakikiusap ako sa inyo, kung nakalusot na kayo d’yan at hindi kayo nahuli, pasalamat kayo, hangga’t suot ko ‘tong uniporme na ‘to, matuloy man ako na mag-four star o hindi, you take note gentlemen, kilala ko kayo. I’m giving you a stern warning. Ayaw niyong magbago? Babaguhin ko ‘yong buhay niyo, kung hindi niyo babaguhin, palitan ko ‘yong birthday niyo. Hindi ako nagbibiro,” he added.

The PNP-OIC said he reiterated his message to his men amid unvalidated reports that some of their colleagues are still involved in illicit drug activities.

“There are still some, paisa-isa na napakatitigas ng ulo niyo. You will reap what you want, I’m telling you. Ngayon, ‘pag ayaw niyo talagang magbago sabi ko nga, ay ibibigay ko ang gusto ninyo.

Meron pa ring paisa-isa although these are unvalidated reports, sana naman ay hindi totoo, at sana naman ihinto na natin kung meron man,” he said.

“Yung mga iba kasi rito, allegedly, involved pa rin sa illegal activities at lalong-lalo na sa iligal na droga. Anyway paisa-isa na lang naman ito, so I just hope na hindi totoo,” he added.

Lt. Gen. Danao was speaking not only as the PNP-OIC but due to his experience as director of the Manila Police District, Police Regional Office 4-A in Calabarzon and the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

“Alam niyo kasi I was assigned in NCRPO eh, and meron pa rin d’yan mangilan-ngilan although these are unvalidated reports, pero sabi ko nga just to give a fair warning to everyone not to be involved. This is addressed to all members, be it general, down to the lowest rank of PO1 and NUP. I would like to give you a fair warning,” he said.

The official earlier assured he won’t tolerate any wrongdoing by his men specifically those being committed as a result of their war on drugs.

Emphasizing its mandate to protect the people, the PNP-OIC said he is fully aware of the complaints filed against some police personnel who are allegedly involved in human rights violations during police operations.

“These cases are already taken into the legal spectrum. Layunin din ng PNP na makamit ang hustisya because that’s what law enforcement is all about. The mandate is clear among our personnel—Serve and Protect the people,” said PNP Public Information Office chief, Brigadier. Gen. Roderick Augustus B. Alba.

Lt. Gen. Danao had said that a total of 5,652 police personnel have been dismissed from the force from July 1, 2016 to date in line with their strict internal cleansing program.

The PNP-OIC said that of the 5,652 dismissed cops, 504 including 10 PCOs were found guilty of involvement in illegal drug activities or substance abuse.

Another 183 which include 11 PCOs, 171 Police Non-Commissioned Officers and one Non-Uniformed Personnel were axed from the PNP after they were found to be involved in drug-related cases from July 216 to last November 13.

Another 23 PNCOs were also fired from the service for substance abuse and six for involvement in illegal drug activities from November 13, 2021 to last May 4.

“The PNP does not condone any member of the police organization who violates the law and gets involved in illegal activities. Nonetheless, all those involved were sanctioned accordingly following the time honored principle of the constitutional right to due process,” Lt. Gen. Danao said.

“Ito ay nagpapatunay din na seryoso ang liderato ng PNP na itama ang lahat ng kamalian at parusahan ang dapat parusahan sa aming hanay dahil sa bandang huli, hindi lang ang PNP ang makikinabang dito kung hindi ang mamamayang Pilipino na aming pinagsisilbihan at pinoprotektahan,” he added.

The PNP leadership has also asked government critics to help them investigate purported ‘irregularities’ committed by some policemen as a result of their war on drugs since 2016.

“We will appreciate if these findings will be endorsed to us so we can also probe and look into this matter,” said Brig. Gen. Alba.

Records showed that nearly 11.8 tons of shabu worth P76.17 billion have been seized by Duterte government agents led by those from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency headed by Director General Wilkins M. Villanueva and the PNP from July 1, 2016 to last March 31.

The latest RealNumbersPH said that during the period, authorities conducted 233,356 anti-illegal drug operations which led to the arrest of 336,796 suspects. A total of 6,241 armed suspects also died during those anti-drug operations, majority of them in shootouts with undercover officers.

During the period, a total of P88.83 billion worth of shabu, its chemical precursors and other essential elements and laboratory equipment as well as cocaine, Ecstasy and marijuana leaves were confiscated, majority of them destroyed already.

Lt. Gen. Danao and his men from the Manila Police District, Police Regional Office 4-A in Calabarzon region and the NCRPO n Metro Manila which he all previously commanded as well as the PNP Drug Enforcement Group now headed by Brigadier Gen. Randy Q. Peralta all played a significant role in the successful war on drugs.