Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 5) — Majority of the top personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who submitted their courtesy resignation have been cleared by the five-man panel looking into their possible link to illegal drugs trade, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Wednesday.
“Of the 953, the five-man committee has gone over the list and recommended that 917 resignations will not be accepted,” Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
He noted, however, that 36 police officers are still being investigated.
Asked if any of those under investigation may not be able to return to service, Abalos said: “I’m sure mayroon (there is).”
The government has formed the advisory group to cleanse the PNP ranks. The panel started its probe in February. It is composed of PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr., retired police general and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs Undersecretary Isagani Nerez, former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, and retired Court of Appeals Justice Melchor Sadang.
Azurin, who was first cleared by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of link to the illegal drugs trade, earlier said the panel hopes to complete the screening of resignations in less than three months.
