MALOLOS, Bulacan—There’s an ongoing internal cleansing in the Philippine National Police (PNP) to revive the support and trust of the citizens, amid the alleged killings of innocent people due to the anti-illegal drug campaign.
The primary problem of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office (PPO) pertains to the war against drugs. More than 1 percent of Bulacan’s total population, which is more than 3 million, is affected by the drugs problem.
Senior Supt. Romeo Caramat Jr., provincial director of Bulacan PPO, said in an interview with the BusinesMirror they conduct random and mandatory drug testing and observe proper discipline in their ranks to regain the trust of the people. For example, just a hint about involvement in illegal drugs can relieve a police personnel from service because it is a battle of perception, as what PNP Chief Ronald M. dela Rosa said.
Bulacan PPO members are doing their best to change the people’s perception about corrupt policemen, and the perception toward the involvement of their personnel in the illegal-drugs trade.
Caramat said 20 policemen were transferred to Mindanao as part of their internal cleansing.
He added that since the drug war began, 42,000 pushers and users have surrendered; more than 20,000 houses were visited; more than 1,000 guns recovered; and almost 2 kilos of shabu valued at P5 million were seized, aside from marijuana.
On the other hand, more than 500 drug victims died in legit police operations conducted by the Bulacan PPO, and more than 500 are deaths under investigation (DUI).
Four policemen of the province died in said operations, which were included in the DUI. Based on the investigation, those policemen are involved in the illegal-drug trade. They are pushers and protectors. The investigations are still ongoing regarding the policemen.
“We must not go beyond the rules and strictly follow the police operational procedures,” Caramat said. The Bulacan PPO director added he always reminds his police to adhere to the law, respect human rights, and observe strictly the legit police-operations procedures.
He added the chief PNP has no directives not to give the spot report to the media and other agencies. However, agencies must submit a formal request (for the report) because not all cases are the same.
He said other cases must be kept confidential, such as rape cases, especially those involving minors.
Caramat said the recovered illegal- drugs are stored and secured at the crime laboratory of the PPO. The destruction or disposal of recovered evidence is up to the court’s discretion.
Caramat explained that crime volume in the province went down since the illegal-drugs campaign started.
He said the crime volume and the illegal-drugs problem has direct connection. If the 42,000 drug victims did not admit they are involved in illegal drugs, and did not surrender, they can be compared to a walking time bomb that can harm the citizenry any time. They can shoot, stab and rape anyone anytime.
The Bulacan police director added they believe many are still not surrendering, adding that the illegal-drug problem is a problem nationwide, not just in Bulacan.
That is the reason President Duterte launched the war on drugs, “Oplan Tokhang”, the visitation of alleged drug pushers and users. They also have,”Taphang”, the information dissemination campaign in all elementary and high schools about the bad effects of illegal drugs.
Caramat said they established “Bahay Pagbabago” in all cities and municipalities of Bulacan, and even in the entire Central Luzon region, through the help of the heads of local government units (LGUs).
He estimated that Bahay Pagbabago has more than 10,000 graduates in the province of Bulacan alone. Some graduates are now employed by the LGUs, and some have set up their own businesses. Those inside the Bahay Pagbabago were trained and taught different skills, such as dressmaking and massage therapy.
The provincial director said they encourage every sector of society to help solve the drugs problem. He said different government departments, such as the departments of Education and Health, and religious sectors can help the police in conducting Oplan Tokhang.
Caramat urged the Bulakenyos to stop using illegal drugs. He encouraged the residents who are not involved in prohibited drugs to be vigilant and help the PNP in fighting the proliferation of the banned substances. “It is everyone’s problem, not just the PNP’s,” he said.
Caramat also shared that additional 20 policemen were deployed to the city of San Jose del Monte as requested by Mayor Arthur Robes. The said city has a huge population compared to the small number of police personnel.
The whole province of Bulacan has 1,600 policemen to serve a population of more than 3 million, or ratio of one policeman per 3,000 residents.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. George Bergonia, the commanding officer of the 48th Infantry Battalion of the 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, told the BusinessMirror that illegal logging is a problem in the province of Bulacan. More than 27,000 board feet of lumber were recovered, including fruit -and nonfruit-bearing trees.
He said Angat, Norzagaray, and Doña Remedios Trinidad are municipalities that are part of the forest reservation that are flourishing.
Bergonia said they are doing their best to oversee and protect the area. The forest rangers of the DENR are insufficient.
He said the mayor of Doña Remedios Trinidad has a project to address the illegal logging problem. Twigs of the trees are being cut and converted into coals as a livelihood program.
Bergonia said they continue to conduct information, education, and communication as needed to save the forest reservation.