Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 9) — The move to push for courtesy resignations in the Philippine National Police to cleanse its ranks has no basis, Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel said, urging the organization to intensify ongoing investigations on illegal drugs instead.
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“I disagree with the call for resignations. This has no basis — as admitted by the (Interior) Secretary. They have very raw intel reports, intel information. So let them deepen their investigation,” Pimentel told CNN Philippines’ The Final Word.
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Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos earlier defended his call for courtesy resignations among PNP colonels and generals, saying the drug situation calls for “radical and bold initiatives.”
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The secretary also explained that this would be a “shortcut” to cleanse the PNP, citing the long judicial process for erring officials.
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Pimentel, meanwhile, suggested approaching the situation on a per case basis.
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“Just approach the drug problem within the PNP on a case-to-case basis, individualize. They file cases against those that they have evidence,” the senator said.
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Pimentel, in a separate interview, said that it is not an emergency situation and that he found the solution out of place as there was no evidence that drug lords are controlling the PNP.
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According to Abalos, around 500 of 947 generals and full colonels have tendered their resignation as of writing.
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