MARKING HIS own first year in office, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director-General Ronald M. dela Rosa reaffirmed his vow to get rid of corrupt cops, citing that he had so far sacked 160 and plans to kick out 84 more due to alleged involvement in drugs and corruption. “I will never stop. I will be uncompromising. I will be unforgiving and I have no mercy for those corrupt and scalawag police,” Mr. Dela Rosa said in his speech before the police force on Monday. Last November, however, his boss, President Rodrigo R. Duterte made his own reaffirmation that he would protect the police and military. Mr. Duterte was speaking in a press conference within the context of the Espinosa-Yap killings of Nov. 5, 2016 for which 19 police officers have been originally charged with murder, and later downgraded to homicide. “But as I have said before, right at the start… I will protect and I will support the police in this drive against shabu (methamphetamine),” Mr. Duterte then said. Mr. Dela Rosa, for his part, said, “I will sign all [dismissal papers]. I don’t care. If you did wrong, I will really dismiss you.” — Jil Danielle M. Caro

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