MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday refuted claims of a “grand conspiracy” within its ranks and maintained a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct of officers.
The Department of Justice filed charges against 30 police officers for planting of evidence and delay in the prosecution of cases in connnection with an operation in Manila in October 2022 which yielded PHP6.7 billion worth of shabu and resulted in the arrest of a police officer.
“We remain committed to upholding professionalism, integrity, and accountability in all aspects of our operations,” the PNP said in a statement.
It added that mechanisms to address the wrongdoings of police officers are in place, which include investigative units such as the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group and Internal Affairs Service.
The police force assured full cooperation with any investigation to uphold transparency, strengthen public trust and reinforce good governance.
“In line with our recalibrated anti-drug campaign, we have adopted a community-driven, bloodless approach that prioritizes human rights and accountability. Our efforts focus on dismantling drug supply chains, targeting high-value individuals, and fostering community partnerships for sustainable results,” it added.
The PNP denied the existence of a reward system tied to killings, noting that none of its chiefs would ever condone such a practice.
“Rewards are strictly limited to the lawful arrest of wanted persons, governed by established regulations,” it said.
“Accountability remains paramount, even for retired or resigned personnel. While administrative actions may no longer apply, criminal charges can still be pursued when evidence establishes involvement in illegal activities.” (PNA)