Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has expressed his support to the proposed implementation of the one-strike policy for police officers who fail to prevent illegal activities within their area of jurisdiction.
This comes after the recent spate of attacks on public officials, including the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, which claimed the lives of eight more individuals and injured seventeen others.
Go believes that the implementation of the one-strike policy would ensure that all police officers take their job seriously and are accountable for any illegal activities that occur within their area of responsibility.
He emphasized that the policy should not only apply to cases of killings but to other illegal activities. He cited a hypothetical example wherein if the chief of police or the mayor is not in favor of illegal activities like gambling, it will not prosper in the area.
Earlier, Senator Ramon ‘’Bong’’ Revilla Jr. urged the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to immediately implement a one-strike policy on police officials and personnel in areas where heinous acts of violence are perpetrated.
Revilla made the call following a spate of assassinations of elected local government officials, particularly Degamo who was assassinated right in his own house.
“May one-strike policy naman ang PNP (The PNP has a one-strike policy). Bakit sa mga kaso ng illegal gambling, lewd shows, pati sa mga patupada, one-strike – automatic na relieved, pero dito sa mismong atake sa ating demokrasya – ang pagpatay sa ating mga halal na opisyal, walang one-strike? (Why is it that there is a automatic relief of PNP officers on cases of illegal gambling, lewd shows, illegal cockfighting but there is no such policy when our democracy is at a stake- the killing of our elective officials?), he asked.
Go sees the one-strike policy as a warning to police officers to be vigilant and responsible in their duties.
He strongly condemned the series of killings and attacks aimed at government officials and demanded justice be served against those responsible.
Following a thorough investigation, four suspects were arrested in connection with the governor's murder.
The suspects are now facing multiple charges, including multiple murder, frustrated multiple murder, and illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
Meanwhile, Go called on his fellow public servants not to be afraid to do their work for the people despite the attacks.
"Let us not (be) afraid in doing our work for our people. Let us not waver in our commitment as servants of the people. Instead, we must be more steadfast and more committed to do what we swore to do for our country and the Filipino people," he added