942 of 953 PNP officials submit courtesy resignation

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has received courtesy resignations from 942 of its 953 senior officers as of January 20.

In a media briefing on Monday, PNP Chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin said only 11 high-ranking officers, which include eight colonels and three generals, have yet to submit their courtesy resignations, a move that aims to rid the police force of personnel involved in the illegal drug trade.

“Out of these three generals and eight colonels, 7 of them are actually going to retire soon. So I guess they are still trying to discern if they still need to submit a courtesy resignation since they’ll be retiring,” Azurin said.

He said they are optimistic that the remaining officers would comply with the call made by Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. on courtesy resignations.

The PNP chief encouraged the remaining high-ranking PNP officials to file their courtesy resignations so they could be assessed and cleared from any involvement with illegal drugs.

“We still encourage them to submit so that at least, they’ll be totally cleared, whatever the result of the evaluation and review of police officers’ individual involvement on illegal drugs,” he said.

Azurin said the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management will wait for the courtesy resignation of the 11 officers until the end of the month.

He noted that if the remaining officials do not submit their resignations, the PNP will continue with the investigation even after their retirement.

A five-man committee, including Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, will screen the resignations.

The National Police Commission will review the police officers whose resignations have been accepted.

Azurin said the PNP will review the police officials who will not file their courtesy resignations after the January 31 deadline.

“The PNP will review if there are indicators that they are involved in illegal drug activities during their incumbency as third-level officers. Yes, even after their retirement,” he said.

Abalos earlier urged all colonels and generals in the PNP to offer “courtesy” resignations after a probe had found a “handful” involved in illegal drugs.

They could continue working while the committee reviews their records.