PNP: No quota on drug war killings, arrests

MANILA, Philippines — As far as the spokesperson of the Philippine National Police can recall, there was no quota on PNP killings or arrests in the implementation of the war on drugs during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte.

Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, one of the resource persons invited by the House committee on public order and safety chaired by Sta. Rosa, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, said yesterday that based on her personal experience during her stint as station chief of police at the height of Oplan Double Barrel, she did not receive any order for a quota on “arrests or killings” of drug suspects.

“I will speak in my capacity. During the time of former president Duterte, I was the chief of police. I could say in all honesty, there was no quota for us, or in a week you must have arrest of five or you have killed (someone),” Fajardo said in reply to a question of Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop, a former police officer himself.

The PNP spokesperson hinted that most police officers in the station, who were at the height of their career, may probably just tried to impress their superiors and deliver accomplishments.

“There is no specific policy given to us, either written or verbal ones. In my personal experience during my time as chief of police and even during my time as a provincial director,” she added.

Fajardo confirmed at the hearing the chiefs of police were required to submit a report on the number of houses, drug pushers or users that they visited in the implementation of Oplan Double Barrel.

Fajardo, when she was still a police station chief, denied that they were required to visit at least 50 houses for tokhang in a month.

“During my time, there was none. The houses that will be the subject for tokhang will depend on the number of drug personalities reported by the BADAC (barangay anti-drug abuse council),” Fajardo explained.

“Like I said, Mr. Chair, there is definitely pressure for the station commanders to deliver accomplishment. So that probably really triggered the intention to really deliver in terms of arrest,” she further explained.

Asked by Acop if the pressure on station commanders contributed on the alleged quota of 50-house visitations, Fajardo answered that it is a possibility.