Top policemen linked to drugs face probe over 'ninja cops'

Apart from their supposed ties to the drug trade, five high-ranking officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be investigated for their culpability as commanders of erring cops.

PNP Spokesperson, Police Senior Superintendent Dionardo Carlos said investigators will look into "a link to the accused generals to the members of ninja group and [if] they were the direct supervisors of these personnel."

These 'ninja cops,' explained Carlos, are legitimate cops who are part of the operating group of the anti-illicit drugs campaign, but conduct illegal activities like reselling of the contraband.

"If we look at the actions or assignments of [sic] those identified to be a ninja cop, you look at the commander as to how they were managed and the accomplishment presented," he said.

However, Carlos clarified, he is not certifying at the moment that the three active police generals who were named by Duterte are indeed linked to the ninja cops.

READ: Duterte links 5 top cops to drug trade

Chief Superintendent Bernardo Diaz, Director Joel Pagdilao, and Chief Superintendent Edgardo Tinio, all in active service, trooped to Camp Crame and met PNP Chief Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa to clear their names Wednesday and have since been turned over to the National Police Commission (Napolcom) for investigation proceedings.

The three top cops and Deputy Director-General Marcelo Garbo Jr. (retired) and Chief Superintendent Vicente Loot (retired) were tagged by Duterte as allegedly involved in illegal drug trade.

The accused officials, assured Carlos, will be given due process, adding the PNP will admit its mistakes if the accusations are proven wrong.

"Then we let the findings be made public. If there are mistakes, then we accept them—if there will be mistakes," he said.

CLEANING THE RANKS

Carlos said Dela Rosa is bent on "accomplishing the marching orders of our President and Commander-in-chief."

"For the next three to six months, our priority, our focus now is on illegal drugs, corruption, and criminality," he said.

"Right now, Project Double Barrel is designed to be able to deliver. That’s why effective July 1, he wanted a fresh mandate, he wanted commanders or field officers that would deliver," he said.

They are expected to deliver results within three months, otherwise risk getting relieved from the post and be replaced with another personnel who "can hit the target," said Carlos.

Over 40 regional directors have been removed or replenished with new people since Dela Rosa assumed office, according to Carlos. Among them are the key positions held by Tinio, Diaz, and Pagdilao.

"New officers are now performing [those] key positions for the fight of our Chief PNP against illegal drugs," said Carlos.

"He wanted everybody of the 170,000 to be with him in the next six months because he’s serious in delivering the promise, and comply with the marching orders of our commander-in-chief," he said.