By Aaron Recuenco

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has submitted a list of policemen facing various duty-related criminal charges to the Office of the President.

Philippine National Police Chief Director Oscar Albayalde
(Kevin Tristan Espiritu / MANILA BULLETIN)

PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde said that the submission is in compliance with the order of President Duterte to identify policemen currently facing charges in the performance of their duty.

“The President asked for the list because he wants to provide legal assistance to them,” said Albayalde.

A number of policemen are currently facing various criminal charges which are usually counter-charges filed by those who were subjected to police operations.

The PNP is yet to release the number of policemen facing charges in the line of duty.

President Duterte earlier vowed to defend policemen facing charges, especially those carrying out his order on drug war.

Several cops who were implicated in the killing of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa in November 2016 were re-assigned to various posts although a Senate investigation disclosed that the operation that led to his death was highly-questionable.

Espinosa was earlier tagged as a narcopolitician before his death. His son Kerwin was tagged as a drug lord who operated in Eastern Visayas.

The PNP leadership is having difficulty in providing legal assistance to policemen since some of those filing harassment charges could afford to hire top-caliber lawyers.

There were reported incidents in the past when some policemen hesitated or even refused to conduct operations against moneyed suspects for fear of losing their jobs in the future once the apprehended criminals take them to court.

“We still do not know on how it will come but the President promised us that he would provide legal assistance to policemen facing charges in the line of duty,” said Albayalde.