Identify scalawag cops- Bautista

By Maricar M. Calubiran

For the nth time, Sr. Supt. Norlito Bautista urged the people to report and identify police personnel in cahoots with drug pushers.

Sr. Supt. Norlito Bautista

Bautista made the challenge in the recent City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) meeting after one barangay captain questioned the sincerity of policemen implementing the laws on illegal drugs trade.

The barangay official said there are cops who hang out with suspected drug pushers and even attend the baptismal of the latter's children.

Bautista said the accuser should name the police personnel for them to take necessary action against erring cops. There are also cops who are doing their job. These kinds of accusations are always raised in different symposiums.

“It's also unfair for the PNP,” he said.

He said the people should not be overpowered by their fear. There are police hotline and text line for them to relay the information on the participation and involvement of cops in illegal drug operation. They could always keep their identities. “What matters to us is the information.”

He also attributed the success of the police operations in Barangay Bakhaw, Mandurriao to the participation of the residents.

The information relayed to them by residents resulted to the arrest of 18 suspects in the 10-day existence of the satellite precinct in Bakhaw alone.

Bautista said he will never condone the illegal activities of the policemen particularly those involved in the distribution and those cops giving protection to suspected drug pushers.

The city director also said he has already issued a directive to the different precinct commanders to assess the performance of their police personnel. Ineffective cops will be thrown out of the city.