PNP 'determined' to uphold rule of law, eliminate scalawags

MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is more determined to uphold the rule of law and weed out scalawags among its ranks, its chief said on Wednesday.

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. made this remark in response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) where he vowed to support efforts to strengthen the military and police as part of efforts to uphold the rule of law.

“I think this will send a message na talagang mahirap paglaruan ang sistema (it is really hard to play with the system) and this is a call for the PNP na really to do everything professionally and what is in accordance with law ay gagawin namin (we will do). I think that is the opportunity to redeem PNP’s image we align with the President's pronouncement and we will commit na ang kanyang kapulisan ay (that his cops) something that the Filipinos can be proud of. Yun lang naman ang masasabi ko (That' all I can say) so with that, I think there is more pride in wearing the uniform now,” Acorda told reporters on the sidelines of the turnover rites of reward money to police informants in Camp Crame.

Acorda said also described the President's SONA as "promising," noting that they are committed to fighting crime and illegal drugs.

Meanwhile, Acorda said they have yet to receive official communication on the fate of the 18 third-level officers of the PNP whose resignations have been accepted by the President for alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

“No other way other than implementing it but what I want to say is that the PNP under my leadership and with the support of all the officers, we will be continuing our monitoring and investigation of not only these personnel na nabanggit sa (mentioned in) courtesy