Philippines’ Duterte names and shames five top cops over alleged drug links
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday publicly named five top police officials he said should be investigated for involvement in illegal drugs.
The president, who won elections in May by promising a ruthless war on crime, was making good on an earlier threat to publicly shame officers who were involved in or protecting the illegal drug trade.
“I order them relieved of their assignments and report to the [national police] director-general who would like to talk to them,” he said in a speech to the air force.
Many more will die ... It’s going to be a dirty fight, it’s going to be a bloody fight
He also ordered the police commission to investigate the five, adding: “Don’t give me a song and dance. Find the truth.”
He said information on the alleged involvement of the five in drugs had undergone “so many validations” but he did not elaborate on the evidence against them.
National police spokesmen could not be contacted for comment.
One of the retired police generals named by Duterte told ABS-CBN television that he was innocent, protesting that he was being subjected to “trial by publicity”.
Duterte also reiterated his call for the return of the death penalty as well as his vow to pursue a campaign against illegal drugs.