President Duterte names 5 police

generals linked to illegal drug trade

President Rodrigo Duterte giving speech at the 69th Anniversary of Philippine Airf Force in Clark Air Base on Tuesday, july 5, 2016.

Five police generals allegedly involved in illegal drug trade have been identified and relieved from their positions by President Rodrigo Duterte, who intensifies his campaign against drugs, criminality and corruption across the country.

Duterte named the five police officials linked to drugs as Deputy Director-General Marcelo Garbo Jr. (retired), Chief Supt. Vicente Loot (retired), Chief Supt Bernardo Diaz Director Joel Pagdilao and Chief Supt. Edgardo Tinio.

The President made public the names of the five police generals during a speech at the Philippine Air Force's (PAF) celebration of its 69th anniversary at Clark Air Base on Tuesday.

ABS CBN reported Garbo and Diaz, who belonged to Philippine Military Academy Class 1981 and 1984, respectively, were in the news during the elections for supposedly meeting with the camp of presidential candidate Mar Roxas.

It said that Loot was director of the PNP Training Service and director of Police Regional Office 8 before retiring who is now the mayor of Daanbatayan, Cebu.

Pagdilao, a member of PMA “Maharlika” class of 1984, served as National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief.

He was replaced by Chief Superintendent Oscar D. Albayalde, as ordered by Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa in his first day in office.

On the other hand, Tinio, a member of PMA “Sandiwa” class of 1985, was the director of Quezon City Police District.

Duterte was quoted as saying that many have long suspected that there are police officials involved in illegal drugs.

"The truth of the moment is, these people, after so many validations, even when I was still mayor of Davao City, these names were appearing, it really came out," he said.

He added that as President, he is compelled by a sense of duty to name the police officials "who have contributed to the deterioration of law and order in the country."

Duterte ordered the police generals to report to Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa. He also ordered the National Police Commission to investigate the officials.

The President asked the Armed Forces of the Philippines to help his administration's "bloody fight" against those who protect drug lords and syndicates.

"It's going to be a dirty fight. It's going to be a bloody fight. I am not apologizing for it," he said.

"Anumang kaso (Whatever the case), under the Revised Penal Code, in the fulfillment of your duties as public authority, akin 'yan (that's mine), mine and mine alone. I assume full legal responsibility. Huwag kayong matakot, basta nasa tama tayo (Don't be afraid, we are in the right track)," he said.

During his presidential bid, Duterte had promised voters to put an end to criminality and drug menace within six months after he takes office.

Since Duterte took oath on June 30, at least 25 suspected drug lords have reportedly been killed in gun battles with policemen, according to new Malacanang palace presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella in the Philippine Daily Inquirer report.

Aside from this, thousands of drug pushers and users also surrendered themselves to police across Philippines over the past four days to sign a pledge to stop trading and using illegal drugs.

More and more drug users and pushers are submitting themselves to police to sign a document that they intend to reform themselves following Duterte government’s ultimatum.

In 2009, the Dangerous Drugs Board estimated 6.9 million drug users which is close to 7% of the country’s population.

The Philippine Star reported that the Philippines has become an illegal drugs exporting country.

An illegal drug called methamphetamine is being exported to Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea and also in relatively small quantities to Guam and Saipan.

Before his presidency, Duterte has been reiterating that the Philippines is becoming a narco-politics country destroying the future of its children.

The mass surrender of drug users and pushers seem to confirm his earlier statements of possible nexus between public authorities and drug lords.

According to the Philippine National Police, dozens of drug suspects were killed in police operations across the country from June 16 to 20 alone.

This means five drug suspects were killed in police operations every day even before Mr. Duterte assumed office.

On Sunday, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents seized up to 300 kilos of methamphetamine during a raid on a farm in Claveria, Cagayan, Northern Mindanao.

The Philippine National Police reported that the haul was 180 kg, worth P900 million. MGP News