Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 9) — Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong is among the five members of a panel that will screen generals and full colonels of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for their possible involvement in illegal drugs amid the government’s move to cleanse their ranks.
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Speaking to CNN Philippines’ The Source on Monday, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos declined to name the other members of the panel, but noted details will be revealed in a week or two.
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“We made sure that those who we have chosen on this have impeccable credibility, integrity, of course record like Benjie Magalong,” he noted.
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Magalong, a former police general, previously headed the board of inquiry into the 2015 clash that killed 44 members of the PNP’s Special Action Force taking part in an operation against a Malaysian militant in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
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In a separate briefing, PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr., who has also submitted his resignation, said there were 22 names given to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. from where he will choose the panel’s members.
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According to Abalos, the entire process may take up to three months.
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This will start with the evaluation by the five-member panel of all 947 top PNP officers about their possible involvement in illegal drugs.
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It will then submit a list to the National Police Commission that will further review and filter out the names.
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Abalos said criminal cases will be pursued against those proven guilty, while those found innocent will continue with their service since their resignation will not be accepted.
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He said there is a plan of action against those found to have ties with illegal drugs but who refuse to resign. However, he refused divulge details.
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So far, around 500 top police officers have submitted their resignation, he added.
RELATED: Abalos: Only small fraction of top cops linked to illegal drugs
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