Durana: PNP to remain faithful to Constitution, says no to junta

There is no reason for the Philippine National Police (PNP) to stage a coup plot against President Rodrigo Duterte even if the President himself said that he prefers the junta over a government led by Vice President Leni Robredo, a police official said Friday.

“As far as the Philippine National Police is concerned, I think that’s also made clear by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, we will follow what’s written in the Constitution,” PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. said during a Palace briefing.

Durana said the PNP “is empowered” under the Duterte administration.

“In my 30 plus years in the service, it’s only now that the Philippine National Police as an institution, the leadership is empowered to do their job. Unlike before, there are a lot of political influences,” he said.

The President, he said, has given the PNP “a free hand” to lead the police force.

“The President has given almost a free hand to the leadership of the Philippine National Police to do their job. In fact, his marching order to the chief of the Philippine National Police is that ‘do everything what is necessary to accomplish your mandate within the bounds of the law,’” he said.

Following Duterte’s remarks of getting “tired and wanted to step down,” Durana said Filipinos should instead “encourage” the President.

“I think not only the Philippine National Police, but the rest of the Filipino people should encourage our father. Hindi ba, kung minsan sa pamilya natin napapagod din ang ating mga magulang eh dahil siguro pasaway tayo, masyado [Isn’t it sometimes in our family our parents get tired, maybe because we are so hard headed],” he said.

“So as our father, as our leader, we have to make sure that we contribute—we should not contribute to his already monumental problems,” he added. /jpv

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