'Bring me... a written explanation': Cebu cop in trouble over viral challenge vs drug users, pushers
Either it was intended for social media content or his personal campaign against illegal drugs, the online “Bring Me Challenge” initiated by a policeman assigned in Talisay City against drug users and pushers is not in the police operational procedure, according to acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr.
And for that, the policeman was already relieved from his post and was asked to explain in writing why he should not be penalized for offering P2,000 for drug users and P5,000 for street-level pushers in a video that went viral on social media.
“We have our police operational procedures, and that is not included,” said Nartatez.
“The ACG (Anti-Cybercrime Group) and the DIDM (Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management) now conduct appropriate investigation for the act that he committed,” he added.
In the viral video, the policeman in uniform showed money to his followers and dared them to bring drug pushers and users under the popular “Bring Me" game. The video was created with a cemetery as a backdrop.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said the video was already taken down but the investigation will continue against the involved cop.
“While it was already taken down, the video was preserved for the ongoing digital investigation to determine the charges that could be filed against him,” said Tuaño.
For Tuaño, what the policeman did was a clear violation of the police operational procedure.
The Marcos administration has reversed the policy in the anti-illegal drugs campaign, stressing the need to make every operation less bloody and to save as many lives.
The decision was based on the criticisms and concerns over human rights violations during the drug war— the reason why former president Rodrigo Duterte was charged with a case of crimes against humanity and is now under the custody of the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands.
Tuaño then reminded all the police content creators to strictly follow the guideline set by the PNP in relation to social media use.