They are part of more than 300 policemen from the Philippine National Police National Capital Region Office (PNP-NCRPO), facing charges ranging from simple neglect of duty to grave misconduct. President Rodrigo Duterte scolded them on February 8 and ordered their deployment to Basilan for the next two years.
The policemen assembled in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig early Tuesday and reached Villamor Air Base in Pasay at around 5 a.m. From there, they boarded a C-130 plane to Zamboanga before riding a ferry to Basilan.
One of them said they have no choice but to follow orders.
"Police kami nanumpa kami (We are policemen we promised) we are willing to be assigned anywhere in the country," said a chief inspector who refused to be named.
Many of them still avoid being photographed or be seen on television, afraid of humiliation.
They admitted the President's cuss-ridden rebuke at the Malacañang grounds, where he tagged them as scalawags, pulled their morale down.
Read: Duterte to 300 rogue police: Pack your bags, you're going to Basilan
Others denied the accusations against them.
Some of them were accompanied by their families, including the only policewoman who spent time with her daughter hours before leaving for her next mission far away from home.
Other Metro Manila police officers expressed support for their fellows.
"Andito kami susuportahan namin sila, so full force ang NHQ (national headquarters) para sa kanila (We are here to support them, the full force of the NHQ are here for them)," said PSSupt. Oliver Enmodias, of the PNP Directorate for Personnel Records and Management.
The PNP, however, said those who refused to show up for their reassignment will be charged with gross neglect of duty. Others are excused because they need to attend court hearings of their pending cases.
PNP Chief Ronald Dela Rosa initially recommended that these police officers undergo re-training, saying he believes many of them can still be reformed. But it was the President's decision that prevailed.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief General Eduardo Año earlier said the deployment of the policemen in Basilan will be of great help to the military in the fight against terror groups in Mindanao.
