Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 4) — Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos has appealed to full colonels and generals of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to submit courtesy resignations from their posts as the government aims to cleanse their ranks of illegal drug ties.
Abalos made the call in a media briefing Wednesday, as he cited cases of police officials supposedly involved in the trade.
“I do believe we must cleanse our ranks,” he told reporters. “Kaya ako ay umaapela sa lahat ng full colonel hanggang general (That’s why I’m appealing to all full colonels and generals) to submit a courtesy resignation.”
The pronouncement was upon the recommendation of the PNP chief, Abalos noted, as he expressed concern over the number of law enforcers reportedly linked to drugs.
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“Mahirap lumaban sa giyera na ultimo ang kakampi mo ang babaril sa likod mo,” the DILG chief said.
[Translation: It’s hard to go to war when your allies themselves will shoot you in the back.]
According to Abalos, the government will form “a committee of five” which will review the records of police officials to determine if they are involved in the illegal trade. He did not release the names of the committee members as of publishing.
Abalos also clarified that police officers will remain in the service as long as their courtesy resignations are not accepted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Those innocent will have “nothing to worry about,” he added.
Fastest way to clean the ranks
Pressed further about the recommendation, the secretary explained that this would be a “shortcut” to clean the PNP, citing the long judicial process for erring officials.
“We’ve been doing that for so long… alam mo naman ang tagal ng proseso ng husgado. Ang technicality, ang lahat,” said Abalos.
“This is the only way to cleanse the ranks na mabilis.”
[Translation: We’ve been doing that for so long. You already know how long the judicial process takes — its technicality and all. This is the only way to cleanse the ranks fast.]
Speaking to CNN Philippines’ News Night, PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. expressed support for Abalos’ appeal and said he will submit his courtesy resignation to Marcos on Thursday.
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Azurin urged other concerned officers to do the same, as he called it an opportunity not only to rid the organization of scalawags but also for PNP leaders to prove their innocence.
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National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Maj. Gen. Jonnel Estomo also backed Abalos, saying this shows the DILG chief’s “strong commitment” to win the war against illegal drugs.
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Stressing that they have nothing to fear or hide, Estomo said he and his team of NCRPO generals and police colonels — composed of nearly 70 individuals — will likewise submit their courtesy resignations.
Last month, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa — who also previously served as PNP chief— called for a stronger anti-drug campaign and revealed the supposed return of syndicates under the current administration.
Dela Rosa and other past leaders of the PNP had also vowed to prioritize internal cleansing among the ranks during their time.
