‘Too late help’ from DU30 welcomed by PNP
IT could really be too late but still, the Philippine National Police yesterday welcomed the statement of former President Rodrigo Duterte that he will be giving P1 million and will start a fund-raising project to help cops who are still facing service-related charges after being involved in his bloody war on drugs from 2016 to 2022.
“We would like to extend our appreciation to our former president and this is a welcome development. We really appreciate his offer,” said PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Jean S. Fajardo in reaction to Mr. Duterte’s vow on Wednesday before the Quad Committee of the House of Representatives.
She said PNP chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil’s assurance is that he will help provide legal assistance to policemen who have been slapped with service-related cases, some of them harassment suits in the performance of their duties during the former administration.
It is also the same reason why Gen. Marbil has entered into an agreement with a financial institution who partnered with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines to help extend legal assistance to policemen who need them.
The legal assistance however will only be applicable to policemen facing service-related cases or those who have been involved in legitimate operations and as the offshoot of those and missions were hit with counter-suits especially from moneyed suspects.
Officers who are involved in their own capacity particularly in committing illegal and other abusive acts cannot avail of the legal assistance program, said the PNP spokesperson.
The PNP Legal Service which has only some 200 plus lawyers, is really undermanned to extend help to all members of the police force facing legal challenges.
Brig. Gen. Fajardo said from January 2017 to November this year, the PNP-LS has already handled 1,214 cases and represented 4,033 policemen in court.
The official added that Gen. Marbil was citing official records from the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management and PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management when he revealed that more that 1,000 policemen were affected by the previous government’s “war on drugs,” with more than 300 dead and 975 wounded and over 300 charged in court leading to the dismissal from the service of many as well as the conviction of others by the court.
“This is not only the statement of the PNP chief but records of the DPRM, the DIDM. Hindi po biro itong mga data na to, they are backed up by solid data,” she said.
Gen. Marbil earlier said that hundreds of policemen during the past administration were really emboldened by the former president’s promise he would provide them adequate legal support and even pardon them once they are convicted by the court during his term.
It however turned out that those policemen did not receive the promised presidential aid and up to this day are still facing the consequences of their actions on their own, he said
Citing official PNP data from July 2016 to June 2022, Gen. Marbil shared that 1,286 police officers were affected in the line of duty with 312 of them losing their lives and 974 others were injured.
He acknowledged that these officers carried out their responsibilities with dedication and often faced considerable risks to ensure public safety.
“Many officers endured not only physical harm but also found themselves entangled in legal and administrative challenges,” he said referring to the 214 officers who faced 352 criminal cases during the 2016-2022 period.
Gen. Marbil likewise said that administrative cases were prevalent with 195 officers dismissed over the six-year period, and a total of 398 facing dismissal for various reasons. Over 20 of these individuals are currently in detention, he added.
