The Philippine National Police (PNP) has announced an extensive investigation into recent claims of a “quota” and “reward” system during the anti-drug campaign under former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.
In a statement, PNP Chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil underscored the seriousness of the allegations brought forward by Police Lieutenant Colonel Jovie Espenido.
“We take these allegations with the utmost gravity,” said Marbil. “The review panel, led by the Office of the Deputy Chief PNP for Operations (ODCO) and consisting of the PNP Quad Staff, Internal Affairs Service (IAS), and the Human Rights Office, is tasked with thoroughly assessing and evaluating Oplan Double Barrel, including Lt. Col. Espenido’s disclosures.”
Marbil assured the public that the investigation would be comprehensive, focusing on all aspects of the anti-drug campaign, especially concerning human rights, operational protocols, and accountability measures. The goal is to ensure that all past operations complied with legal standards and ethical guidelines.
“Our objective is to address any concerns and ensure that the PNP’s anti-drug operations uphold the rule of law and respect human dignity,” Marbil emphasized. “We are committed to a drug-free Philippines, but it must be achieved through just and humane methods.”
Last week, Espenido revealed that police officers were required to visit 50 to 100 households of suspected drug users and traffickers daily and received a reward of PHP 100,000 for successful drug busts during Duterte’s administration. He also confirmed the existence of a quota and reward system and stated that rewards were given for each kill made by police officers, funded by state-run Small-Town Lottery (STL) operations.
Espenido has previously faced homicide charges for allegedly killing drug suspects during police operations. He was involved in two high-profile cases: the “Ozamiz 9” killings in June 2017 and the police raid that resulted in the deaths of Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, his wife, brother, and 12 others in July 2017. Espenido was also the police chief in Albuera, Leyte, when its mayor, Rolando Espinosa, was shot dead in a prison cell in 2016.
Espenido, who received the Order of Lapu-Lapu from Duterte for his “extraordinary contributions to law enforcement,” has become a central figure in the ongoing scrutiny of the previous administration’s anti-drug efforts.