Ex-PNP chief Eleazar: No order received on anti-drug op reward system

Retired Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar on Monday said that he did not receive any order regarding an alleged reward system for anti-illegal drugs operations during his stint at the police organization.

“Recalling my six-month tour of duty as Chief PNP, I am confident to say that I neither underwent a briefing nor received any instruction from anybody about a reward system in the conduct of anti-illegal drugs operations,” Eleazar told GMA News Online in a text message.

“And the only instruction I received from then-President [Rodrigo] Duterte was ‘to do what is right and legal,’” he added.

Eleazar noted that the only time he personally talked to Duterte was during his oath-taking ceremony as the newly installed PNP chief.

As PNP chief, Eleazar said he even submitted questionable police reports on anti-illegal drugs operations to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Eleazar added that he expedited the distribution of body-worn cameras to cops and sought guidance from the Supreme Court (PNP) for the protocol in recording operations “in the spirit of transparency and accountability.”

He also pointed out that the enforcement of health protocols and COVID-19 pandemic response were his focus during his stint as PNP chief. Eleazar served as PNP chief from May 2021 - November 2021.

On Sunday, current PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil urged the ex-PNP chiefs to clarify their roles in Duterte’s drug war following former police officer and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Royina Garma's claim of a payment and rewards system for killing drug suspects.

"We take these allegations very seriously. We will thoroughly investigate Garma’s claims to ensure accountability and transparency within our ranks," Marbil said in a statement.

He added the PNP is preparing to look into the allegations involving former PNP chiefs.

Garma earlier said Duterte allegedly asked her to look for an officer who would implement the Davao model of the war on drugs on a national scale.

The model supposedly involves a P1 million reward for killing drug suspects.

Affidavit

In her affidavit, Garma claimed Senator Christopher "Bong" Go and former National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) commissioner Edilberto Leonardo were among those involved in the implementation of the campaign.

Former PNP chief now Senator Ronald dela Rosa said he knows nothing about the supposed reward system in the killing of drug suspects during the previous administration.

“During my time as the chief PNP, I did not engage in a reward system because I had no funds for that. The only reward system in the pop is the DILG-approved list of the most wanted persons," he said.

"I did not believe in such a system because it is a sworn duty of every policeman to keep his area of responsibility free from drugs,” he added. Dela Rosa served as PNP chief from July 1, 2016, to April 19, 2018.

GMA News Online has sought comment from other former PNP heads during Duterte’s term — except for retired Police General Camilo Cascolan who passed away in 2023 — about Marbil’s call to clarify their roles in Duterte’s drug war. They have yet to respond as of posting time. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News