Metro Manila, Philippines— Around 95% of top officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have submitted their courtesy resignation, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said Friday.
In a briefing, the PNP said this translates to 904 of the 954 full colonels and generals expected to tender their resignation in a bid to cleanse their ranks of illegal drug links.
“Wala pa naman sinasabi,” Abalos said when asked about the possible reason of the remaining 50 police officials who have not yet submitted their courtesy resignation.
“Kasi ‘yong iba diyan mga magre-retire na, alam mo ‘yong mga one month to retire may mga gano’n e,” he explained.
[Translation: They have not yet said why. There are those that are nearing their retirement, there are cases that they have one month left before retirement.]
Asked if he expects the remaining 50 officers to heed the call, he said: “Sana naman[Hopefully], we’re nearing the homestretch of all of this.”
On Wednesday, PNP spokesperson PCol. Jean Fajardo told CNN Philippines that the agency was still waiting for officers assigned in Visayas and Mindanao.
Fajardo also said in the interview that the PNP was expecting the completion of all submissions by this week. The deadline is on Jan. 31.
“Walang [There will be no] insubordination, it’s an appeal,” Abalos reiterated.
Meanwhile, Abalos said he has not checked yet if police officials allegedly linked to illegal drug activities have already filed their courtesy resignation.
PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. earlier said less than 10 officers have been under investigation for alleged drug ties. But Abalos recalled that according Azurin, the initial percentage of police officers with illegal drug ties hovered at around 3%. This means at least 28 based on the count of 954 full colonels and generals.
The process — which is expected to last for three months — will involve the evaluation of the 954 officers by a five-man panel, which will then submit its recommended list to the National Police Commission for further review.
If enough pieces of evidence are found, a criminal case will be pursued, otherwise, those found innocent will continue with their service.
“Kung wala namang gano’ng katibay (na ebidensiya) pero nakita talagang mayinvolvement, let them retire peacefully,” Abalos added.
[Translation: If there is no strong evidence but it was found that there was actual involvement, let them retire peacefully.]
No other members of the five-man committee have been named aside from Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who is a retired police general.
