Not a joke: Duterte warns police involved in crime

Davao City (CNN Philippines) — With less than a month left before he takes his oath of office, president-elect Rodrigo Duterte said he will take a tough stance on police involved in crime.

"(Sa) Lahat ng pulis na may kaso at wanted ngayon, pag nandiayn ka pa sa droga ipapatay kita. Don't take this as a joke. Hindi ako nagpapatawa. P***** ina, papatayin kita," he declared during his victory party in Davao on Saturday.

[Translation: "(To) All police who have cases and are wanted now, if you are still involved in drugs, I will kill you. Don't take this as a joke. I'm not making you laugh. Son of a b***, I will kill you."]

He also called for a review of all cases involving policemen:  "Lahat ng mga kaso ng pulls na na-dismiss will be reviewed."

According to Duterte, some officers have found a way to skirt the legal system when cases are filed against them. "Pag-nahuli sila, pag-na-file-an sila ng kaso, they will disappear from the horizon. Tago-tago lang sila."

[Translation: "If they are caught or cases are filed against them, they will disappear from the horizon. They will hide."]

He further explained these officers would wait for about two to three years in hiding before appearing before a judge. By that time, the witnesses could have either grown too old, have died, or have lost interest in the case.

"Then suddenly they (corrupt police) would appear in court and say 'Judge, magpiyansa ako. Kung ayaw niyo akong magpiyansa, I insist on a trial.' Because in the Constitution of the Philippines, there is a provision there which says there must be a speedy trial."

[Translation: "Then suddenly they (corrupt police) would appear in court and say: 'Judge, I will post bail. If you do not want to grant bail, I insist on a trial.' Because in the Constitution of the Philippines, there is a provision there which says there must be a speedy trial."]

He explained that if a speedy trial is not given, the corrupt officer's case will be dismissed with jeopardy, which means that it cannot be filed again.

Duterte worked in Davao City's Prosecution Office from 1977-1986. He was the Second Assistant City Prosecutor before serving as its Vice Mayor — in an officer-in-charge capacity — after the People Power Revolution.

The president-elect also asked three police generals based in Camp Crame, the Philippine National Police's headquarters, to resign. He refused to give their names. "Do not wait for me to name you in public because I will only humiliate you."