Op-Ed: Toss out rotten eggs | Editorial – The Philippine Star

November 1, 2017November 2, 2017 Contributor 0 Comment Op-Ed: Toss out rotten eggs | Editorial – The Philippine Star

Several soldiers who battled Maute terrorists in Marawi are under investigation on accusations of engaging in looting in the besieged city. The story mars the heroic image of those who risked and gave up their lives to rid Marawi of the infestation of Islamic State-inspired terrorists.

The upside of this story, however, is that it was disclosed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines itself, which vowed to impose appropriate sanctions on those found guilty of the looting. The AFP even presented stolen items recovered from the suspected culprits.

Every organization has rotten eggs, and the AFP is showing the best way to deal with them in a democratic setting. Instead of being in denial or sweeping the story under the rug, the accusation is confronted head-on. A thorough, fair investigation is then conducted so that when guilt is established and punishment imposed, it is based on incontrovertible evidence. Reforms are then implemented to prevent a repeat of the abuses or illegal actions.

The Philippine National Police can take some pointers on the way the AFP handles such incidents. Instead of raging at critics, imputing malice on accusers and generally being in denial about wrongdoing involving its members, the PNP leadership should reassure the public that there is constant cleansing of the ranks in an organization where members are prone to abuse and criminal behavior. The public also needs reassurance that everything will be done to get rid of rotten eggs.

For example, the PNP leadership can move to block the return to the service of the officers on trial for the massacre of 13 people in Atimonan, Quezon, led by Superintendent Hansel Marantan. PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa, who’s dreaming of becoming president, has said he has no choice but to implement the reinstatement order issued by the National Police Commission. But the impression is that this is really what the PNP wants, and it is welcoming back the massacre suspects with arms wide open. The Napolcom is chaired ex-officio by the secretary of the interior and local government, who is currently serving as an officer-in-charge. Will the nation have to wait for retired AFP chief Eduardo Año, when he becomes the interior secretary, to seek a reversal of the reinstatement?

The nation is not lacking in individuals who can bring honor to the police uniform. Like the AFP, the PNP must take every opportunity to ensure that all the rotten eggs are tossed out.

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