Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 16) — Police officers of lower rank will also eventually be subject to scrutiny amid efforts to rid the Philippine National Police (PNP) of illegal drug ties, the organization’s chief said Monday.
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PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said second-level officers will be next in line in the internal cleansing after authorities finish reviewing records of third-level officers who submitted courtesy resignations.
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Second-level means lieutenant to lieutenant colonel for police commissioned officers, and from patrolman/patrolwoman to executive master sergeant for non-commissioned officers. Third-level officials, meanwhile, are those with the rank of full colonel to general.
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“After this exercise, definitely we will go down to the next level, which is we really need to engage our second-level officers kasi sila yung mga nasa ground eh [because they’re the ones on the ground],” Azurin told reporters in a briefing.
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Nearly two weeks ago, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. appealed to third-level PNP officials to submit courtesy resignations as a supposed “shortcut” in cleansing their ranks.
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According to Abalos, a five-man committee will be formed to determine if an official who tendered his or her courtesy resignation has been involved in illegal drugs.
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He said the decision to accept the resignation — based on the findings and recommendation of the committee – would ultimately lie with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
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“He wants to cleanse the PNP about itong mga [the] involvement ng [of] third-level officers — and maybe siguro pati yung mga [possibly even] second-level officers later on,” Azurin said, referring to Abalos.
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The police chief, however, clarified that he does not think courtesy resignations among second-level officers would be necessary.
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“No need for resignation siguro [I think],” Azurin told CNN Philippines in a message.
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He said senior officials will just “engage and supervise their people well” after they themselves are cleared by the five-man panel.
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Asked if there will be other measures, such as an internal review, to ensure the removal of erring second-level officers, Azurin said, “So far wala [none].”
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According to the PNP chief, a total of 929 police colonels and generals have since submitted their courtesy resignations. Azurin said that accounts for 97.48% of all 953 in the third-level rank.
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“With this overwhelming response, I would like to express my satisfaction, admiration, and respect to all these fine gentlemen for heeding the call for change and reformation in the police organization and for putting the interest of the nation on top and over personal desires and considerations,” Azurin said.
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