President Duterte claimed that erring cops are "happy" with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic because they can go about their activities while hiding their faces under their masks.
“Ang pulis (The police are) happy sa (with) COVID. May cover sila. May cover— iyan ang totoo diyan. Iyong mga iskalawags pero (They have a cover. They have a cover — that’s the truth. The scalawag ones but) at least medyo ngayon disiplinado sila (they are kind of disciplined now),” he claimed during a pre-recorded public address aired on Tuesday, Jan. 18.
If there’s anyone who doesn’t want the pandemic to end and want it to last “for the longest time", it’s the police, the President noted.
Duterte once favored the Philippine National Police (PNP) at the height of his war against illegal drugs.
“Kaya ang mga buang— mga maskara. Mag-cap lang tapos magmaskara nito tapos magshades lang pasok sa sabungan hindi mo na makita (That’s why those crazy—they wear masks. They wear caps with masks and shades and then they enter the cockpit, you won’t notice them),” he said, noting an alleged vice of some cops.
The Chief Executive also shared a story during his time as Davao City mayor when he hit a policeman for firing an armalite during the latter’s birthday party.
“I do not want policemen to be seen drinking (in public), whether you are in uniform or civilian clothes. Do not drink outside. Do it sa bahay ninyo para kapag malasing kayo, kayo nalang ang magbarilan, hindi na iyong civilian (in your homes so when you get drunk, shoot at each other, not at the civilian),” Duterte said.
Despite these misgivings against the police, he claimed to be “satisfied” with them “overall".
The President explained that the top brass in the police force has to be disciplined so the rest will be disciplined as well.
Duterte made this statement as he thanked the military for their relief operations in affected areas of typhoon “Odette”.
General Andres Centino, the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), presented a report during his public briefing about their relief operations.
“I am praising the military because they deserve it,” he said.
“I would like to reiterate, in behalf of the people of the Philippines, I would like to commend and salute the AFP for their toil,” Duterte added.