MANILA, Philippines – One way to weed out corrupt cops is to bring back “militaristic” training to police forces, said President Rodrigo Duterte.

On Tuesday, May 22, he said he is considering changing the way Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel are trained supposedly to ensure the integrity of the force.

“I think that I might return the training itself and the militaristic activity training of the police back into the PNP itself. It has not done good since we transferred it to a public safety,” said Duterte.

The remark harks back to an idea he voiced back in 2016 to revive the Philippine Constabulary. Before the 1987 Constitution, the PC was a major service command of the military. During the Marcos regime, it took the lead in implementing martial law.

The 1987 Constitution called for the creation of a national police force that is civilian in character to do away with a “militarized police.”

Duterte said the changed character of the PNP led to the recruitment of “lousy” individuals into the police force.

“The system, it ain’t working and we’re producing, to my mind, some lousy men getting into the service under questionable circumstances,” said Duterte.

A lack of background checks also contributed to this, he said.

“Marami diyan mga salbahe (There are many of them) who are really criminal but who maneuvered somehow to get into the service,” added the President. 

Duterte had previously said he wanted the PC to take the lead in implementing his campaign against illegal drugs. He has often said in speeches that he prefers to place military men in top civilian positions since they are more likely to strictly follow orders. – Rappler.com