PNP: No reward for every kill in anti-drug ops

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday denied that the police organization is offering a reward for every death of a suspect in its anti-drug operations.

At a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo addressed the allegation Police Colonel Jovie Espenido made during a recent House investigation.

“That is his statement kaya kailangan tanungin natin siya. Probably, he has a personal knowledge doon sa sinasabi niyang reward but para sabihin na ito ay ginawa sa buong PNP, very sweeping yung kanyang sinasabi,” she said.

(That is his statement so we have to ask him. Probably, he has a personal knowledge of the reward but to say that it was done throughout the PNP, it is very sweeping.)

“Kung meron siyang personal knowledge na siya ay binigyan ng reward, tinanong naman siya ang sabi niya ay wala (If he had personal knowledge that he received a reward, he was asked and he said nothing),” she added.

The House investigation covers the drug war deaths during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

According to Espenido, P20,000 is given for every death of a suspect and P100,000 for a “successful” buy-bust operation.

Espenido also called the PNP as the biggest crime syndicate in the country.

Fajardo said that the police organization was shocked and saddened over Espenido’s statement as she pointed out that PNP does not fall under the definition of an organized crime group.

“Lagyan po natin ng konteksto. Ang isang organized crime group ay binuo para sa isang purpose lamang, ito ay to commit crimes. So malayong-malayo ito sa reyalidad kung bakit itinatag ang PNP,” she said.

(Let's put some context. An organized crime group is formed for one purpose only, it is to commit crimes. So this is far from the reality of why the PNP was established.)

Espenido was a controversial cop during the time of Duterte as he led major drug operations against big-time drug suspects and faced homicide charges. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News