‘Tatay’ Digong scolds brass

It was his way to remind them that as your President, I have never been short in reminders or being an example to all.

President Rodrigo Duterte performs his role as father of the nation amid a crisis facing the Philippine National Police.

In a heart-to-heart talk with officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines during a command conference, President Rodrigo Duterte gave them a fatherly sermon about integrity in being a government servant.

A 2013 controversial drug operation in Pampanga had dragged several key PNP personalities including police head Gen. Oscar Albayalde into the narcotics recycling scandal.

Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Mr. Duterte’s longtime aide, noted the President acted “like a father who reminded” his children about behaving through sermons.

“He asked ‘when did I ever reprimanded you? Never.’ It was his way to remind them that as your President, I have never been short in reminders or being an example to all,” Go narrated.

Mr. Duterte reiterated the importance of the police force in pushing for his administration’s campaign against drugs and crimes, he said.

“To him, the police force is very important in the campaign against criminality and in the battle against drugs,” Go said.

“If they, the police force, will pose a problem, then he wondered what will happen to his campaign,” he added.

The lawmaker said the President has even prioritized the salary increases of military and police forces in 2018.

“That is how important the problem is since some members of the police force show they are not content with the doubling of salaries,” he indicated.

Go said anew that the PNP must stop covering up for scalawags in its ranks.

The President’s spokesman Salvador Panelo, however, said Mr. Duterte did not hide his displeasure to the PNP officials.

He said despite government efforts to increase their salaries, some police personnel and even officials go rogue and commit wrongdoings.

“He (President) just expressed disappointment, that’s the only thing I can confirm. The rest I cannot confirm,” Panelo told reporters.

“(He) expressed disappointment over certain incidents on the ‘ninja cops.’ He said police salaries were doubled but still it happened. So, he expressed disappointment with that,” he added.

When asked if the President gave any specific orders to PNP OIC Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, Panelo said he has no idea.

During the same briefing, the Palace official said there was no mention if President Duterte had chosen among the contenders for the next PNP chief.

“There was none. If there is any, they don’t want to share,” he explained.