MANILA, Philippines – After condemning the recent deaths of two teenagers, Malacañang said the police will cooperate in any investigation relating to the incidents.

“The Executive, through the Philippine National Police, will cooperate with the Senate investigation and any other investigations called for,” said Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella on Friday, September 8.

In the same Palace briefing, Abella said Malacañang joins the public in “condemning” the “suspicious deaths” of teenagers Carl Angelo Arnaiz and Reynaldo de Guzman.

The cooperation of the PNP with probes is critical in the Duterte administration’s efforts to rid the police of corrupt and abusive personnel, he said.

“Rogue cops, if and when allegations are proven true, have no place in an institution like the Philippine National Police and we need everyone’s full support and cooperation as we continue to cleanse its ranks,” said Abella.

His remarks come after a press conference where Department of Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge Catalino Cuy said there was a “standing order” from Duterte prohibiting police from turning over to investigating bodies the case folders related to supposed human rights violations in the implementation of his drug war.

Asked for clarification, Cuy confirmed that the President thumbed down the request of the Commission on Human Rights for access to case folders of the Philippine National Police on cases related to the drug war.  (READ: Duterte ordered police not to share case files with CHR – DILG)

Asked if the President issued such an order, Abella said on Thursday that Duterte only wants a “head’s up” on the release of such documents and was not requiring that he give his permission first.

“He didn’t use the word permission. He just said, I think, just to – as if, like a heads up,” said Abella.

Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra previously said that there is no need for the Commission on Human Rights or the Ombudsman to get Duterte’s approval before probing police.

After the deaths of 3 teenagers, allegedly at the hands of police, Duterte declared he does not condone the killing of young Filipinos in the name of his drug war. – Rappler.com