No gifts, Philippine cops told

Taking heed: Police officers listening as Duterte delivers his speech during the anniversary at the Camp Crame headquarters. — AFP

MANILA: The Philippine National Police reminded its officers that they cannot accept gifts from the public, but said it would defer to the “better wisdom” of President Duterte, who earlier said it was okay to receive gifts as long as there was no corruption involved.

In a statement on Saturday, PNP spokesman, Police Brig Gen Bernard Banac, said “we always explain to the public that there is no need to give gifts as we are just doing our job. We get paid by the Filipino people”.But Banac said “we submit to the better wisdom of our lawyer-President that it is harmless to receive gifts so long as there is no element of corruption involved and no oppression or abuse of authority is committed.”