Hataman opposes transfer of erring, corrupt cops to ARMM

COTABATO CITY -- Regional Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) today expressed opposition to plans by the Philippine National Police to reassign erring cops from other regions to the autonomous government. In a statement, Hataman said the region is not a dumping ground for erring and corrupt police officers involved in illegal drugs. Hataman said he received reports that four policemen from the Visayas will be transferred to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, following their alleged involvement in the illegal drugs trade. The Office of the Regional Governor would like to ask the Philippine National Police to reconsider its decision. The ARMM regional government has been exerting all efforts to rid the region of corruption and to implement relevant reforms for its people, Hataman said. The region confronts issues such as poverty, hunger, and the rise of terror groups, and we need the best of our country's police on our side -- not the worst, he added. Hataman said erring law enforcers must be held accountable and penalized. Sending them to the ARMM is not a disciplinary action rather it is a move that portrays our region as undeserving of dignified and dedicated public service, he said. Hataman said he will officially send communications to PNP Director Gen. Ronald dela Rosa to express his dismay and suggest not to make ARMM dumping grounds for undesirable cops. A police official who asked not to be named stressed that sending erring and corrupt policemen from other areas to ARMM will not make them clean. Our fear is they may spread the virus to ARMM good cops, he said, asking he remained unidentified for lack of authority to speak.