Duterte backs Eleazar's methods in handling scalawag cops
By CNN Philippines Staff
President Rodrigo Duterte praised Metro Manila's top cop for how he handled an erring policeman in front of the press.
Metro Manila Police Chief Guillermo Eleazar confronted former cop Marlo Quibete, sacked for alleged robbery and extortion, roughhousing him by forcibly tilting his head up to face him. Eleazar later apologized for the outburst.
"Sabihin mo kay Eleazar okay yun. Oo. E ano ba naman yung ganun-ganun," Duterte said in a speech Wednesday night, while miming a shakedown.
[Translation: Tell Eleazar that that's okay. What's a bit of a shakedown?]
The President, who had been vocal about his support for potentially violent police acts as long as they were done in the line of duty, said that he has Eleazar's back.
"Sabihin mo (Tell him) I have his back covered," Duterte said.
A police commander is presumed to have knowledge if illegal acts are committed repeatedly by his or her immediate staff or personnel, and widespread under areas of his jurisdiction.
Eleazar appealed to the public to continue reporting extortion and irregularities involving officials.