The Philippine National Police chief on Monday expressed disappointment over the alleged involvement of some police officers in recent criminal cases, stressing that erring personnel will not be spared from accountability.

PNP Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez said the incidents were disheartening, especially amid efforts by the government to boost police morale through increased salaries, allowances, and improved capabilities.

“Of course nalulungkot din tayo, nadidismaya tayo despite of all the morale boosting na binigay sa atin lalong lalo na ang ating Presidente Ferdinand Marcos binigay na, nag-increase ang ating salaries and allowances, nag increase ang ating capabilities through the giving of funds particularly the capital outlay, nagpapasalamat tayo and despite of that ay meron pa rin. If we are looking at the data kokonti lang naman ito but nakakalungkot na meron pa rin,” Nartatez told reporters during a press briefing at Camp Crame.

Despite this, the police chief assured the public that there will be no whitewashing and that cases involving police officers will be investigated thoroughly.

“For the past weeks, mayroon tayong mga pulis na na-iinvolve or unmasked or discovered to be involved in death cases at sisiguraduhin natin gagawin natin ang nararapat para sa kanila to ensure that they will be accountable,” Nartatez said.

He declined, however, to directly link the issue to the killing of Police Senior Master Sgt. Diane Mollenido and her eight-year-old son, John Ysmael, citing ongoing developments in the case.

“We are accounting for the suspects or soon-to-be-accused by this day or respondents by this case about that case. We have significant updates on that. And we have the names already of who are involved and the motive,” Nartatez said, adding that updates on the Mollenido case would be provided in a separate press briefing on Tuesday.

Drive vs. loose firearms intensified

Meanwhile, Nartatez ordered all police commanders, down to the chiefs of police, to further intensify the campaign against loose firearms and gun-running groups.

In January alone, the PNP arrested 828 individuals and accounted for 2,604 firearms through surrender, confiscation, or placement under custody. Of these, 242 firearms were placed in safekeeping.

Nartatez also directed national support units such as the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Special Action Force to step up operations against gun-running syndicates nationwide.

“This is part of our anti-crime measures since firearms, particularly the unlicensed ones, are the main instruments in committing criminal activities. Denying criminal elements the opportunity to own loose firearms will cripple their capability to operate,” Nartatez said in a statement.

While noting that the PNP has already accounted for a significant number of loose firearms in previous operations, Nartatez stressed the need to further intensify enforcement and intelligence gathering to identify remaining gun-running groups and prevent the proliferation of high-powered weapons.

He also tasked the Civil Security Group to compel delinquent gun owners to renew expired firearm licenses.

“While we will hit hard on loose firearms, we also have to make sure that all firearms with expired permits must be renewed on time,” Nartatez said.

“Gun ownership comes with an obligation that includes renewing their licenses on time,” he added.