Former president Rodrigo Duterte (Arnold Quizol/ MANILA BULLETIN)

More House members have chided former president Rodrigo Duterte for supposedly leaving out to dry the police officers who were involved in alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the latter’s bloody war on drugs. 

This, as Assistant Majority Leaders Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur and Pammy Zamora of Taguig City both expressed concern regarding Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil’s revelation that the ex-president failed to follow through with his oft-repeated pledge to help these beleaguered cops.

Marbil disclosed that despite Duterte’s public assurances of support, numerous police officers involved in drug war operations have been left to defend themselves in court.

“General Marbil’s disclosure shows that Duterte’s commitment to support his officers was nothing but an empty promise. Many of these officers now face charges without any backing from the former president who had ordered them to ‘neutralize’ drug suspects. Nakalulungkot isipin na pinabayaan sila pagkatapos nilang sumunod sa kanyang kautusan,” Adiong said.

(It's sad to think that they were neglected after they followed his orders.)

Marbil recently called for stronger support for these officers who carried out Duterte’s orders during the drug war. The PNP chief says they now face various charges and have been left without the legal and financial support that was once publicly guaranteed to them.

Zamora echoed Adiong’s sentiment, and noted that Duterte’s promises now appear to have been little more than a “useless commitment” to those who risked their careers and reputations. 

“It’s disheartening to see that the former president abandoned the very officers who implemented his war on drugs. Ang nangyari ay napabayaan na sila matapos silang maglingkod sa ilalim ng kanyang administrasyon,” Zamora said.

(What happened was they were neglected after they served under his administration.)

Both lawmakers brought up the alleged reward system that reportedly incentivized drug-related killings during Duterte’s administration. 

“These officers were motivated by a system that encouraged results at any cost, and now they’re the ones paying the price. For the former president to make these public declarations of support, only to turn his back on them when they need it most, would seem to be a betrayal of these officers,” Adiong said.

According to Zamora, the failure to fulfill promises of support further underscores the flaws in Duterte’s campaign. 

“The President fell short on delivering his promise, much like the shortcomings of his anti-drug war...Duterte’s promises create a false sense of security, and as those words turned into weakened assurances, those who followed orders feel double-crossed. This causes damage far beyond the police force; even damaging public trust in our institutions,” noted the lady solon.

“A true leader is one who values actions more than words, it is standing by your people when things get difficult,” she added. 

Adiong expressed concern for the officers’ well-being as they grapple with the legal repercussions of carrying out Duterte’s orders. 

“These officers acted on orders and assurances. Now, they face the consequences alone, and this abandonment is a serious injustice. This is a lesson that leaders must be held accountable for the directives they give,” Adiong said.