MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has expressed openness to investigate the allegations made by Police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido during the third hearing of the House Quadruple Committee on Wednesday.
Espenido implicated Senator Ronald Dela Rosa in the bloody drug war of the Duterte administration. He also confirmed the existence of a quota and reward system in the enforcement of the anti-illegal drug campaign.
According to PCol. Jean Fajardo, the PNP spokesperson, Espenido must provide evidence to substantiate his claims.
“He has to answer for his claims. Accusation is one thing but proof is another thing. May mga minention siyang specific na mga official doon na active at retirado, at iiwan ko doon sa mga tao na ‘yun na sagutin ‘yung mga allegations ni Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido,” Fajardo said.
“The PNP is also curious kung ano ‘yung mga hawak niyang ebidensya. At kung may mga hawak siyang ebidensya ay tutulungan natin.
Bukas ang PNP sa anumang imbestigasyon at kung meron mang sapat na katibayan ang sinuman, ay tutulungan natin siya,” Fajardo added.
However, Fajardo emphasized that it would have been better if Espenido had sought guidance from higher PNP officials before making statements that could affect the image of the entire organization.
“As a matter of practice, we are in a ranking police officer for that matter, before appearing in any forum, particularly in this case… In fact, even ‘yung ating mga senior officers na humaharap doon ay kailangan munang mag-seek ng guidance din kung ano ‘yung mapag-uusapan because this does not involve you, yourself, but the whole organization for that matter,” Fajardo stated.
“Kasi mahirap mag-akusa, nagsasalita lang but hindi mo kayang i-back up ng evidence. These are serious accusation and allegation,” she added.
Fajardo emphasized that the PNP is committed to cleansing its ranks and will not tolerate those who are guilty.
“Kung may ebidensya, himayin natin ang kaso. Because this is the only way to free the whole organization from these sweeping allegations,” she said.
“Definitely, it casted a shadow doon nga sa integridad ng PNP pero like I said, this should serve as a challenge for everyone na miyembro ng PNP para ipakita na this is not the norms, hindi ito ‘yung totoong mukha ng PNP,” she added.