By Argyll Geducos
President Duterte came to the defense of National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Guillermo Eleazar following the backlash he got for his outburst at a police involved in extortion.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (RICHARD MADELO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Duterte made the statement after Eleazar was seen bawling out Police Officer 2 Marlo Quibete from the Eastern Police District's (EPD) drug enforcement unit (DEU) for allegedly extorting money from the family of a drug suspect.
In a speech in Malacañang Wednesday evening, Duterte said that what Eleazar did to the cop was just right because there are still police officers who are involved in irregularities.
"Ilan na lang natitira na puro matitino na? Kaya itong pulis, everyday there's always an idiot. Nahuhuli (How many upright police officers do we have left? Everyday there is always an idiot who is being caught)," he said.
"Yung isa was being ---- ano ni Eleazar. He was criticized for that. Sabihin mo kay Eleazar, okay yun (Earlier, one was shaken by Eleazar but he was criticized for that. Tell Eleazar that what he did was right)," he added.
"Eh ano ba naman yung ganun-ganon? Sumasayaw nga sila ng tao. Sabihin mo I have his back covered (Why are they complaining about it when they do that to other people? Tell Eleazar that I have his back covered)," he continued.
Early Wednesday, Eleazar was seen grabbing the hair of Quibete to force him to show his face to the media. He then grabbed his collar and continued to admonish him.
Metro Manila's top cop has apologized for his outburst but maintained that what he did was right because police officers should not be "treated as babies".
"Humihingi ako ng paumanhin kung 'di ako nakapagtimpi at nailabas ang aking emosyon (I would like to apologize if I was not able to keep my cool and I expressed my emotions)," he said.
"Kinwelyohan ko, tiningala ko ang mukha, at dinuro-duro ko. Eh dapat lang (I collared him, lifted his head, and pointed my finger at him. That's just right)," he added.
Meanwhile, Eleazar has also ordered the immediate relief of the chiefs of the Pasay police and the EPD over their subordinates' alleged involvement in extortion attempts.