Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Rommel Marbil on Sunday called on former PNP chiefs to clarify their involvement in the drug war of former President Rodrigo Duterte, following retired police colonel Royina Garma’s claim of a payment and rewards system for killing drug suspects.
“We take these allegations very seriously. We will thoroughly investigate Garma’s claims to ensure accountability and transparency within our ranks,” Marbil said in a statement.
He added the PNP is preparing to look into the allegations involving former PNP chiefs.
Garma earlier revealed that Duterte asked her to look for an officer who would implement the Davao model of the war on drugs on a national scale, a system where one is rewarded up to P1 million for killing drug suspects.
In her affidavit, Garma claimed Senator Christopher “Bong” Go and former National Police Commission commissioner Edilberto Leonardo were among those involved in the implementation of the campaign.
Leonardo served as commander of the Manila Manila Police District Moriones Police Station in 2017 during Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs.
Marbil also announced that the PNP would implement measures to strengthen public confidence and prevent similar abuses in future operations.
“Our commitment to human rights and accountability is paramount. We must work diligently to regain the trust of the people and ensure that law enforcement operates within the bounds of the law.”
According to human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, more than 20,000 people were killed in the drug war based on the 2017 year-end accomplishment report of the Duterte administration.
—Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News
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