Nartatez vows new policies to discourage cops from violating operation procedures
Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr., director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has vowed to implement new policies that would prevent and discourage policemen from engaging in any form of illegal activities, especially those relating to illegal drugs.
Nartatez issued the statement after President Marcos disclosed that at least 177 Metro Manila policemen were charged for their involvement in anti-illegal drugs-related operations that include planting of evidence, illegal arrests and use of excessive force.
The new policies, according to Nartatez, are aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability in the conduct of our operations amid various allegations that have been tagging the police organization in the middle of the government’s intensified anti-illegal drugs campaign.
“We will be implementing new policies and procedures to prevent this from happening in the future. We know that we have a lot of work to do to rebuild trust in our community, but we are committed to doing what it takes to gain the public’s confidence and to make our communities safer,” said Nartatez.
“We want to assure our community that the National Capital Region Police Office is taking all necessary steps to address the involvement of police officers,” he added.
Nartatez said the filing of charges against the 177 policemen is a major step in our ongoing effort to rid the Philippine National Police, particularly the NCRPO of corrupt and criminal elements.
“We guarantee that these police officers are held accountable for their actions, dismissed from the service, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Nartatez.
“They have betrayed the public trust and undermined the integrity of the PNP. We will not tolerate this type of behavior within the ranks of the PNP. We are committed to cleaning up the police force and restoring the public's trust in our law enforcement officers,” he added.
Since Marcos assumption of the presidency, there were significant changes in the conduct of anti-illegal drugs operations which was manifested by the stand of his first PNP chief, Rodolfo Azurin, on the need for a less bloody drug war.
The new approaches on the anti-illegal drugs campaign was carried on by his successor, current PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda, Jr. who vowed to continue reforms in order to regain the trust and confidence of the people to the police.