By Xy Aldrae Murillo

Following the recent conviction of a police officer for torturing and killing two teenagers in the heat of former President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs in 2017, the Philippine National Police (PNP) amplified that misbehaving officers do not reflect the integrity of the entire organization.

Photo Courtesy of ABS-CBN News

Public Information Office Chief Col. Redrico Maranan claimed that the PNP keeps its duty to advocate for human rights across all police operations in fighting crimes and violence.

”Nevertheless, any acts committed by erring personnel [do] not reflect the views of the whole PNP organization," Maranan said.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla also added that the said conviction of the policeman is proof that the country does not conform to impunity.

"We don’t want impunity to rule in our country... We will never succumb to impunity. All of these forces have to deal with the consequences of all their actions," Remulla stated.

Earlier this month, a Manila court found out that Police Officers Jefrey Perez and Ricky Arquilita were the ones behind the killings of Reynaldo De Guzman, 14, and Carl Arnaiz, 19, who went missing on August 17, 2017.

In a Caloocan court ruling released on November 23, Perez was sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment and two terms of reclusion perpetua after being found guilty for planting evidence on Arnaiz, including three sachets of shabu, two sachets of marijuana, and a gun, whereas Arquilita’s case was dismissed due to his death.

Meanwhile, the PNP, through its Public Information Office, said that it "respects" the court's decision.
 
"While it may be true that a police officer was involved in said incident, we believe that said decision was a result of a fair trial, the former PNP officers involved having been given equal opportunity to be heard in court," it said. 

During Duterte’s 6-year term, he openly ordered the police in his anti-drug campaign to "shoot to kill" drug suspects if officers' lives were in danger, which resulted in the deaths of 6,200 people.


Edited by Audrei Jeremy Mendador