Ninja cops

EDITORIAL

So-called Ninja cops (lawmen involved in illegal drugs) abound even if President Rodrigo Duterte warned these police officers who recycle or sell illegal drugs they confiscated during anti-illegal drugs operations. These cops in uniform also serve as protectors of syndicates, according to the president, who said “ninja cops” are traitors to the nation and must be removed from service.

For this reason, the government will give a reward to those who could identify police officers involved in illegal activities. Duterte said he “will give P2 million per head because these are police officers.

The Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Group claimed it intensified its pursuit operations against ninja cops, but these bad eggs abound even in Central and Northern Luzon, according to news reports.

According to AIDG Legal and Investigation Division chief Supt. Enrico Rigor, the AIDG is tracking rogue cops who would face administrative charges and possible dismissal from service. They would undergo pre-charge investigation then summary dismissal proceedings, Rigor said. Ninja cops have reportedly long been operating in Metro Manila, claiming protection from police and government officials. Aside from recycling of illegal drugs, they are also responsible for cases of snatching, kidnapping and other crimes.

Recently a judge dismissed a narcotics trafficking charge against an Australian man after ruling police made up evidence, court documents showed. A Canadian man who was arrested in the same police operation was jailed by a different judge for life, with authorities hailing his prosecution as a sign that the campaign is achieving swift results.

There are persons considered “collateral damage.” They are killed as a result of botched or “intended operations” so cops could get reward money, if news reports are to be believed. 

The government crackdown against illegal drugs has led to more than 3,300 deaths since Duterte took office on June 30, leading to fears police are carrying out extrajudicial killings and breaking the law in other ways to follow the president's orders of eliminating illegal drugs in society.

Anyway, Australian Damian Berg, was charged with drug trafficking after police alleged he was caught alongside Canadian Jeremy Eaton trying to sell ecstasy tablets on a Manila street in June.

Berg insisted police had dragged him out of his hotel room, then brought him to the street where the tablets were placed on him and he was paraded before waiting journalists.

Berg's lawyer presented to the court CCTV footage from the hotel that backed up his claims, and the judge hearing the case in Makati ruled  police had indeed lied about how they arrested him.

"The CCTV footage belied the claim of the prosecution witnesses and destroyed the integrity of their testimonies," the judge ruled last month.

Eaton, who has insisted on his innocence, was sentenced to life by another judge at the Makati trial court using the evidence of the same police. When the verdict against Eaton was announced last week, Rigor, said the swift prosecution showed determination of authorities to resolve cases quickly as part of Duterte's crime war. Rigor did not deny the judge's assertion that police had made up evidence.

But he said Berg had been acquitted on a "technicality" and insisted police had done nothing wrong. Berg has since returned to Australia with his pregnant Filipina partner.

The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor said Thursday she was "deeply concerned" about the killings in the Philippines, warning those responsible should face prosecution. Considering these, human rights advocates are urging the people to be vigilant in protecting their rights or they could be victims of Ninja cops.