The one-strike policy against erring policemen should also apply to their commanders, said House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

“What is happening to our policemen? They are supposed to protect our citizens but they are accused of doing ‘hulidap’ and other extortion and illegal activities,” Romualdez, Leyte’s 1st district representative, said in a statement Tuesday, March 21.

The Speaker is set to meet again with PNP officials following reports that 13 personnel of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detention Group-National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR) were accused of extortion recently by a group of Chinese businessmen.

“I am appealing to our PNP chief to apply the one-strike policy not only to those involved in these activities but to their superiors. If the erring policemen belong to a station or a group, the station or group commander should be covered by such policy as well on the basis of command responsibility,” he said.

According to Romualdez, a police station commander is supposed to be aware of the activities of the cops from the station.

CIDG Director Police Brig. Gen. Romero Caramat Jr. has sacked the 13 involved in the alleged extortion, including CIDG-NCR chief Police Col. Hansel Marantan, who submitted his courtesy resignation.

Romualdez said the PNP should intensify its campaign against wayward policemen to regain the trust of citizens.

“They have to weed out the bad eggs who are tainting the image of the police organization, which is not fair to those who are faithfully doing their job. They should make sure that only those who take their duties seriously and who are not involved in illegal activities remain in the service,” he said.