PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief, Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. said Friday it has meted penalties to 2,641 erring policemen in 2022 as its leadership vowed to continue its internal cleansing program “with greater focus” to purge the organization of undesirable personnel and sustain the notable decrease in the number of crime incidents nationwide.
Azurin Jr. said the penalties handed out to the rogue cops ranged from withholding of their privileges to dismissal from service due to administrative cases linked to violation of PNP rules and regulations, or involvement in criminal activities.
Records from the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM) showed that 584 cops were dismissed from the service this year, 164 were demoted in rank, and 1,225 were meted suspension terms. Another 456 were reprimanded, 117 were meted salary forfeiture penalties, 26 were restricted to quarters, and 69 were denied privileges.
The DPRM records added that those dismissed from the service were found administratively liable in 321 cases of absence without official leave (AWOL), 42 for drug use, 15 for failure to attend court duty, 20 for violence against women, and others for involvement in criminal cases for murder, homicide, carnapping, illegal drugs, robbery extortion, and rape.
“This hardline stance of the PNP against breach of discipline and misconduct within the ranks is the most prominent manifestation of our genuine responsiveness and commitment to reform the organization and enable it to absorb further development and modernization,” Azurin said.
