President Duterte has directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to focus on graft and corruption in the government in the wake of reports that a Makati police officer and a ranking official from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) have implicated in extortion and corruption activities.

“I want the NBI now to focus on graft and corruption. Yun lang muna ang trabaho nila They should focus on that for the meantime,” he told reporters Tuesday evening.

He likewise warned members of the NBI to stop their corrupt practices and involvement in illegal drugs.

He stressed that he will continue to live up to his campaign promise to stop illegal drugs and corruption.

“When I ran for president, I promised you, I will stop corruption. I will do it. I will stop drugs, I will do it,” he said.

Meanwhile, Duterte has already ordered the dismissal of the Makati police officer AND the Customs official.

“I am ordering the police right now to relieve him and place him under suspension and initiate summary dismissal (proceedings). Ayaw ko na yang matagal,” he told reporters Tuesday evening.

In response to the order, Senior Superintendent Rommil Mitra, Makati police chief, said they will reach out with Presidential Management Staff chief Secretary Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go to help name the police inspector who was allegedly involved in extorting from tourists.

“We have not yet identified the alleged police officer,” said Mitra.

But he said National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director, Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde, will initiate the investigation over the alleged extortionist cop.

Duterte expressed his dismay over the continued corrupt practices among police officers despite his early warning that he will be harsh if he finds out that they are taking advantage of their positions in government.

“Hirap na hirap na nga ako, pupunta ng ibang bayan, walang tulog at nakikiusap dun ng tulong nila na sana maipalago ang trade relation, itong police na ito  (I’m doing my best, despite all the difficulties, seek help and improve our trade relations with other countries and here comes this police officer)… You better stop or I will stop you. You interpret it the way you like it,” he told reporters Tuesday night after he visited the grave of his parents here.

Duterte also gave the officer involved the option to resign voluntarily as he warned that corrupt policemen will be deployed to Basilan or Jolo where security forces are concentrated in a bid end the terrorist activities of the Abu Sayyaf Group.

“Naubosan na ako ng sundalo kailangan ko ng police na tumulong (I’ve already ran out of soldiers so I need the help of policemen),” he said.

Duterte also said he wants the deputy chief for intelligence of the Bureau of Customs “suspended and out immediately.”

“Pati yung sa (Even in) Customs. There was a story about that Deputy for Intelligence – I have instructed my aide to relay… I want him suspended and out immediately. Gusto ko – totoo man o hindi – tanggalin at imbestigahan. Umaaboso ang gobyerno kasi lalaruin nila ang proceso (Whether right or wrong, I want him relieved and be investigated. They are abusing as they play around with the process),” he said.

Duterte said he vowed to stop corruption and illegal drugs in the country, this being his campaign promise.

“Pasensya na lang (I’m very sorry) if you do not like my commitment which to me is a sacred promise. I will do it until the last pusher is out of the street, and the last drug lord is exterminated,” he said. (With a report from Anna Liza Villas Alavaren)

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Antonio L. Colina IV

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