Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered the immediate start of dismissal proceedings against a police officer arrested for allegedly selling shabu in San Fernando City, Pampanga.
Nartatez directed Central Luzon police director Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez to expedite the administrative case against the patrolman, who was caught in a buy-bust operation on Tuesday.
“We want swift but fair administrative action supported by solid evidence and due process,” Nartatez said.
According to Pampanga police, the officer was arrested before noon in Purok 5, Barangay San Jose, where authorities seized around 105 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P714,000.
Police identified the suspect only by the alias “Zab,” 28, who was also classified as a high-value individual in the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign.
Nartatez said the arrest demonstrates that the PNP will not protect personnel involved in criminal activity.
“The arrest of a police officer included in the watchlist proves that our internal cleansing campaign is active, intelligence-driven, and relentless,” he said.
The PNP chief said the organization would continue intensifying its campaign against erring personnel, particularly those involved in illegal drugs.
“Our intensified internal cleansing efforts are designed precisely to detect and neutralize so-called ‘ninja cops’ and other corrupt personnel,” Nartatez said.
He added that the PNP will not tolerate scalawags within its ranks and urged the public to report abuses and illegal activities involving police officers.
“The organization does not tolerate scalawags. We encourage the public to report abuses so immediate action can be taken,” he said.