HOUSE lawmakers have turned their attention to providing support for police officers impacted by former President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial and deadly war on drugs.
Following Duterte’s admission of responsibility for the bloody anti-drug campaign, efforts are now underway to address the legal and financial challenges faced by police personnel involved in the operation.
Push for Increased PNP Budget
One of the primary proposals is to expand the Philippine National Police (PNP) budget to include funds for legal assistance, financial aid for wounded officers, and support for the families of those killed in the line of duty.
Laguna Representative Dan Fernandez, leading the House committee on games and amusement, emphasized the need for justice and protection for both the victims of the drug war and the police officers who claim they were following orders.
“There was a promise that they would be protected and cared for by the Duterte administration, but according to the PNP records, no monetary or legal assistance was provided,” Fernandez said.
He called for the establishment of a special budget allocation to aid officers facing service-related legal and financial difficulties.
Legal and Administrative Challenges
The war on drugs, conducted from July 2016 to June 2022, left 1,286 police officers affected, with 312 killed and 974 injured, according to PNP Chief General Rommel Marbil. Additionally, at least 214 officers are entangled in 352 criminal cases, many of which stem from their roles in enforcing the drug war.
The legal basis of Command Memorandum Circular No. 16-2016, which guided the campaign’s operations, was a focal point during a recent congressional hearing.
Lawmakers also discussed ways to minimize the use of deadly force in police operations.
Financial Constraints
Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers pointed out that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) allocated P200 million this year for police legal assistance, but PNP spokesperson Jean Fajardo said the amount was insufficient to cover all service-related cases.
“If we are serious about helping the PNP, we need to increase the budget to ensure officers don’t hesitate in the line of duty,” Barbers stated.
Fajardo clarified that legal assistance only applies to service-related cases.
Officers charged with crimes committed outside their official duties are not eligible for this support.
Duterte’s Promises and Lawmakers’ Skepticism
During a House hearing on November 13, Duterte expressed surprise at the number of police officers facing legal consequences.
He pledged to contribute P1 million from his personal funds to assist them and even offered to serve as their legal counsel, though lawmakers doubted the feasibility of his promise.
Calls for Accountability and Reforms
Fernandez urged the PNP’s Internal Affairs Service (IAS) to reassess cases against police officers and validate whether the charges are justified.
Misamis Oriental Representative Yevgeny Emano proposed making the IAS an independent body, free from the oversight of the PNP chief, to ensure impartial investigations.
As lawmakers push for increased funding and structural reforms, the focus remains on balancing accountability for the drug war’s victims with support for the officers who carried out its controversial policies.