POLICE chief Guillermo Eleazar yesterday said the PNP has no problem granting the Department of Justice access to police records on all anti-drug operations that led to the deaths of suspects.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier announced that the PNP has allowed the DOJ access to 61 cases being investigated by the PNP Internal Affairs Service involving cops who have administrative and criminal liability.
The DOJ is leading a review panel that was formed to look into the Duterte administration’s war against illegal drugs, which has resulted in more than 7,000 deaths.
“As long as the DOJ requested for the availability of this, we will provide them with information and documents,” Eleazar said, referring to other cases being investigated by the IAS.
“I think it’s a good step to have this good collaboration between the DOJ and the PNP to erase doubts that we are hiding information,” said Eleazar, who assumed command as PNP chief last May 7.
For now, Eleazar said the PNP will just submit to the DOJ the records involving the 61 cases but added the police force is open to go beyond that.
The DOJ said it is already coordinating with the PNP-IAS for the review of 61 cases where police personnel allegedly committed criminal and administrative violations in anti-drug operations.
Justice Undersecretary Adrian Sugay said they are working on the memorandum of agreement allowing the department to review PNP drug cases as well as those involving extrajudicial killings.
“We are currently working on the MOA as per instructions of Secretary Guevarra. We hope to finalize this document in the next few days,” Sugay said in a text message. — With Ashzel Hachero
