THE Philippine National Police on Monday said more than 500 senior police officials have tendered their courtesy resignations in an effort to “cleanse” the force of members involved in the illegal drug trade.
In a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said about 60 percent of these third-level officers have filed their resignations, with more expected to come from officials assigned in regional and provincial offices.
The PNP was expecting a total of 956 senior cops to tender their courtesy resignations, in response to a call from Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. last week.
Fajardo explained that once all resignations were turned in, these would be submitted to a 5-man committee that would evaluate and reassess officials to determine whether or not they were involved in illegal drugs.
“Hinihintay po natin na mabuo na itong 5-man team po na ito para masimulan na rin po iyong conduct ng evaluation and assessment para nga po once and for all, malinis ang hanay po ng pambansang kapulisan,” she said.
The government has yet to announce who would comprise this evaluation committee, Fajardo also said, adding that the PNP would continue monitoring the process once the panel convenes.
“Ang pakiusap lang po ng PNP ay sana po once mag-convene itong committee na magre-review ay sana maging mabilis at maging fair at walang maging personal biases itong mangyaring evaluation, para naman maging katanggap-tanggap ito hindi lamang sa mga opisyal ng PNP kundi sa buong sambayanang Pilipino,” she added.
As of writing, officials who have filed courtesy resignations included PNP Chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. and National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief MGen. Jonnel Estomo.
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