MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said he might bring back the Philippine Constabulary (PC).

In a speech in Compostela Valley, Duterte lamented how some police seemed to be slacking on the job.

“Gusto kong ibalik iyang Philippine Constabulary. Iyang pulis, dyan na kayo. But I will return the Philippine Constabulary. Four commands, Army, tapos Philippine Constabulary,” he said.

“Kailangan ko ng tao sa urban terrorism, like the [PNP] SAF (Special Action Forces), iyung mga bata.”

The Philippine Constabulary (PC) was one of the service commands of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Numerous abuses during Martial Law were blamed on the Philippine Constabulary. Critics of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos said the PC was like the Gestapo, the secret state police of Nazi Germany.

In line with security reforms introduced by the Aquino administration after the EDSA revolution, the PC was abolished in 1991 and merged with the Integrated National Police to form a civilian Philippine National Police (PNP).

Duterte has been criticized by human rights activists for his open admiration of the late dictator.

He also raised eyebrows when he said he threatened to declare martial law.