PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar has assured their openness to a plan by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to review cases of cops cleared of administrative liability after being investigated over deadly anti-narcotics operations.

The DOJ earlier said it is eyeing to review the cases of police officers involved in police anti-illegal drug operations where there were deaths but were already cleared by the PNP Internal Affairs Service.

The PNP chief pointed out that the PNP has already pledged to give its full cooperation to the DOJ review.

“The PNP is open to any investigation dahil wala kaming itinatago. If the DOJ will push through with the review of the cases of those police officers who were already cleared, I will guarantee full cooperation. Ito naman ang assurance namin sa DOJ sa simula pa lang. Handa ang PNP na gawing available para sa review ng ahensiya ang alinmang case folder na hilingin nito,” he said.

“We submit to the wisdom of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra regarding this matter,” the PNP chief added.

Gen. Eleazar said the PNP is serious in cooperating with the DOJ on its review of deaths in the drug war.

“Seryoso ang PNP sa pakikipagtulungan nito sa DOJ at handa din kaming panagutin ang mga pulis na mapatutunayang nagkasala sa batas,” the top cop assured.

Under Gen. Eleazar, the PNP had submitted to the DOJ case folders of anti-illegal drug operations where deaths occurred for the agency’s review and investigation.

The PNP leadership earlier assured the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) that the PNP wIll always uphold its sworn duty to serve and protect the public.

“I would like to assure the CHR that the men and women of the police organization do not weaponize the law. It is not the PNP’s way to use the law to attack any citizen whom we are sworn to protect and serve. Our role is only to enforce what the law provides,” Gen. Eleazar said.

“Bawat kilos ng ating kapulisan ay dapat na naaayon sa batas dahil mawawalang saysay ang aming pagiging law enforcers kung kami mismo ay hindi sumusunod sa batas. Sinisiguro ko sa CHR na patuloy na gagampanan ng PNP ang mandato nito,” he explained.

The CHR has asked for an investigation into the arrest of Anakbayan Naga City chairperson Sasah Sta. Rosa early this month for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act of 2013 and RA 9516 or illegal possession of explosives and sought a probe into what it claimed was the weaponization of the law against State dissenters.

“Tuwing may police operations, partikular ang service ng search o arrest warrants, laban sa mga indibidwal na nagkakataon ay miyembro pala ng mga progresibong grupo halos inaasahan na namin ang laging kasunod na alegasyon na iligal ang aming operasyon o sila’y hinarass o tinaniman ng ebidensya. The PNP maintains that our men follow the police operating procedure in serving search or arrest warrants,” Gen. Eleazar said.

“We have, in law, what we call the presumption of regularity in the performance of official duties to enable us to effectively dispense our functions. This can only be overturned by clear and convincing proof to the contrary dahil kung hindi eh sigurado akong binaha na tayo noon pa ng samu’t-saring nuisance cases mula sa mga akusadong gusto lang makalusot sa kanilang krimen,” said Eleazar.

“But if there are claims of police irregularity and they feel they have evidence to support that allegation, it is well within their rights to file a complaint. We are open to any investigation and whatever the outcome, we will accept and abide,” he added.