PNP probes cop over alleged social media post on Sara Duterte impeachment

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The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said it is investigating a police corporal assigned in Region 13 over an alleged social media post concerning the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

At a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Allen Rae Co said authorities first need to verify whether the police officer himself made the said post or whether someone else used his name or account.

“If it will be proven that he was the one who posted this, this is a direct violation and a clear violation of our code of conduct and ethical standards,” Co said.

Based on the presentation of the PNP, the police officer posted, “Kung ganyan man lang kadali baguhin ang ating Constitution, I tell you sobrang kawawa natin mga Pilipino.”

(If it were that easy to change our Constitution, I tell you, we Filipinos are so pitiful.)

According to the PNP, the corporal was reacting to the voting threshold in the ongoing impeachment trial of Duterte.

Co said police officers are subject to restrictions on political expression because they are expected to remain politically neutral while performing their duties.

The PNP said that if the corporal is confirmed to have made the post, the matter may be referred to the police disciplinary system for assessment.

Co said possible sanctions would depend on the findings of the investigation and the applicable rules. Dismissal from service was mentioned as one possible sanction.

The PNP said the cop is currently undergoing schooling in Cavite. —RF, GMA News