The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) on Wednesday assured the public that the investigation on the alleged involvement of five police generals in protecting illegal drug syndicates will be finished in seven days.
In a press conference after an en banc session, NAPOLCOM Commissioner Rogelio Casurao said they were given a directive to finish the investigation within seven days and immediately conduct dismissal proceedings.
“We are estimating that we could complete the entire process in a month's time. We will come up with a very clear pronouncement by way of an en banc resolution to be signed by all commissioners,” Casurao said.
“We are assuring the public that the investigation to be conducted is going to be straight ahead investigation,” he added
He also emphasized that the commission would never let the case drag, as doing so may only cause suspicion that there are things being fixed.
“The president is very clear on this matter. Ayaw niya na that the investigation will drag on. We are never going into that situation,” he said.
During the 69th anniversary of the Philippine Air Force, President Rodrigo Duterte named Edgardo Tinio, Vicente Loot, Bernardo Diaz, Marcelo Garbo Jr., and Joel Pagdilao as the police generals protecting illegal drug syndicates.
Both Garbo and Loot have already been relieved of their positions in the PNP.
Casurao said there were evidences that led Duterte to name the generals.
He added that they are now in the process of validating the allegations against the five police generals.
However, the NAPOLCOM commissioner said they will concentrate on only three of the police generals mentioned by Duterte.
If proven guilty, the police generals will be dismissed from duty.
“We have dismissed a lot of officers already who have been involved in very serious situations,” he said.
Meanwhile, Casurao said the commission fully supports Duterte’s strong stand against illegal drugs.
He underscored that most heinous crimes can be traced to drug use.
“If you have been hearing his pronouncements, lahat ng problema nangyayari because of drug menace. Murders, homicides, rape, these are all happening in our society because somehow this is connected to drug problem,” he said.
“Kapag nasugpo natin ang droga, maraming krimen ang maiiwasan na. One hundred percent, we are very supportive of this program to eliminate drug menace,” he concluded.