The Philippine National Police (PNP) expressed its seriousness in partnering with the Department of Justice (DOJ) on its investigation of alleged extra-judicial killings (EJKs) with regard to the war on drugs.
PNP Chief Police General Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar said they and the DOJ are set to sign an agreement on police cooperation in the department’s probe of so-called EJKs.
The PNP’s top cop said the signing of the agreement intends to “convey our sincere intention to cooperate in the investigation of so-called extrajudicial killings in the war on drugs.”
He said that in his May 21 meeting with the DOJ Secretary, they discussed the conduct of an investigation into alleged EJKs in the war on drugs.
“I assure our good Justice Secretary that the PNP has no tolerance for rogues, including those who may have committed unjustified killings in the course of anti-illegal drug operations, and that we are serious in cleansing our ranks,” he added.
Cleansing the ranks of police scalawags is one of PGen Eleazar’s priority campaigns upon his assumption as PNP Chief.
“Our agencies both committed to address this long-time concern on EJKs and we see the agreement as a step towards further strengthening our ties. Our willingness to open some of our records to the DOJ is already a big development in terms of our relations,” PGen Eleazar said.
He added, “The DOJ shares the same view and understands why we only allow them access to 61 records of investigation against policemen. It is possible that, in the course of the DOJ’s probe, we can make more records available for its scrutiny.”