ILOILO City – Amid reported calls for partisan activity following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) reminded its personnel to stay neutral and focus on their primary mission of serving and protecting the public.
“We, as Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel, must always remember that our loyalty is to the flag, the Constitution, our country, and the organization,” stressed PRO-6 spokesperson Police Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis
He urged police personnel in Western Visayas to uphold professionalism.
“We reminded our PNP personnel that they should conduct themselves in accordance with our rules and regulations, as we are government employees,” Solis said.
He also cautioned officers regarding their social media presence.
“We have policies that must be followed, and they should not exceed or go beyond our limitations when posting online,” stressed Solis.
He also said no resignations have been reported from police officers in Western Visayas.
The PNP downplayed allegations making rounds on social media that the morale of the police is low following the arrest and eventual transfer of Duterte to The Hague in the Netherlands where he faces trial before the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity over his bloody drug war.
“Iyong kumakalat na sinasabing sympathetic iyong mga pulis natin na umiiyak during the implementation po ng warrant of arrest, hindi po totoo iyon,” PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said in a panel discussion in Malacañang.
Fajardo said the PNP is “professional” and focused on implementing its mandate to maintain peace and order following Duterte’s arrest.
She also said there are ethical standards and norms within the PNP in expressing views, especially “that we know the PNP is an apolitical and non-partisan organization.
Fajardo said if there are police officers who openly express their views on Duterte’s arrest, PNP chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil said “let us just remind our people.”
NO LOYALTY CHECK
Malacañang said there is no need for a loyalty check among members of the police and military.
Presidential Communications Office’s (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains confident in the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) amid rumors of resignations following the arrest of Duterte.
“Loyalty check? Wala po dahil kampante po ang Pangulo na ang ginawa po ng administrasyon ay naaayon sa batas,” Castro said.
The AFP also denied reports of resignations among military personnel. Philippine Army (PA) spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala said there have been no verified reports of resignations despite claims on social media.
The Philippine Navy and Air Force also denied unrest or resignations.
“We urge everyone to exercise critical discernment and avoid spreading unconfirmed information,” said AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla. “Our personnel continue to remain focused on our sworn duty, upholding the rule of law and the chain of command.”
Castro accused some groups of spreading misinformation to generate public sympathy for Duterte.
She called for a balanced perspective on the issue, urging the public to consider both sides of the story, especially the alleged victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during Duterte’s administration.
“Sana po imulat niyo ang inyong mga mata, tignan niyo po kung ano talaga ang katotohanan. ‘Wag natin iiwan ‘yung isyu ng extrajudicial killings. Meron pong mga namatay, meron pong mga nagrereklamo,” Castro said. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency)/PN
