Albayalde defends intensified campaign vs loiterers

An angry Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde defends the police’s intensified campaign against loiterers in a press conference on Wednesday, June 20./Mar Gabriel/Eagle News Service/

By Mar Gabriel
Eagle News Service

Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde on Wednesday, June 20, said his men will continue to intensify operations against loiterers unless a court orders a stop to it.

An angry Albayalde issued the statement amid criticisms the intensified campaign could lead to a violation of the rights of some individuals.

“Let’s stop telling, conditioning people that this is a violation of their rights..,” he said.

According to Albayalde, there was “not a single person (whose) right was violated..”

If there are people who claim the contrary, he said “they can go to my office.”

He said the police had a strict policy against policemen who violate human rights.

In fact, he said since July 2016, 647 policemen have been charged for human rights violations.

Of these, he said 19 were dismissed from the service, while some were demoted or suspended.

“If the court said stop, we will do it..until that hindi kami pwede tumigil sa pag-implement ng batas,” he said.