THE DAVAO Police Regional Office (PRO-11) has vowed to throw the book at its erring members, noting that 83 cops from the region have been dismissed since January 2016 after being found guilty of involvement in criminal activities. Chief Insp. Milgrace C. Driz, PRO-11 spokesperson, said during a media forum in Davao City last week that the 83 were among 649 police officers with cases. Of the total, 211 were suspended, 19 demoted, 20 reprimanded, five restricted to barracks, while the rest were dismissed or still pending. Ms. Driz stressed that those dismissed from the service were “given due process through a summary hearing procedure…to defend themselves.” She added that PRO-11 Director Manuel R. Gaerlan has intensified the “campaign in cleansing the police ranks of rogue cops” President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Tuesday threatened to “kill” members of the police force who are involved in criminal activities. According to the Department of Interior and Local Government, since 2016, more than 6,000 commissioned and non-commissioned police officers, including non-uniformed personnel, were either dismissed from service, demoted, or suspended. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

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