PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. yesterday said 929 police generals and colonels have tendered their courtesy resignations, leaving just 24 more third level officers who have yet to heed the call of Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, Azurin said the number represents 97.48 percent of the 953 generals and colonels in the PNP.
Last January 4, Abalos urged all police generals and colonels to tender their courtesy resignations as part of efforts to rid the police force of officers involved in illegal drugs.
Azurin said the 24 included two generals and five colonels who are due to retire within the first quarter of the year.
“The rest, we believe, I hope, they are still finding discernment. They are carefully studying if they are going to file or not. They might be thinking the deadline is still on January 31. We are hopeful they would eventually submit their courtesy resignations,” he said.
Officers who submitted their resignations will be vetted by a five-man committee that includes retired police general and now Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
The committee’s recommendation will be reviewed by the National Police Commission chaired by Abalos. President Marcos Jr. will have the final say if the resignation of the officers will be accepted.
Azurin and members of the PNP command group — PNP deputy chief of staff for administration Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia, PNP deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Benjamin Santos, and PNP Chief Directorial Staff Lt. Gen. Michael John Dubria — led officers who have submitted their courtesy resignations.
“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.
The PNP initially said there were 956 generals and colonels in the police force but three of them have retired.
Azurin said some of those who have yet to file their courtesy resignations might be having second thoughts, especially if they are not involved in illegal drugs. He said they might fear the committee may commit errors and endorse the acceptance of their resignation.
“That’s why we keep on asking the five-man committee, let’s be fair because these are the careers of our police officers. These are the officers who are going to replace us (PNP leaders),” said Azurin. “That’s why we are really asking for objectivity, fairness and just in evaluating our third level officers.
“If they are innocent, the more that they should come out. They should set an example. If you are innocent, you should submit yourself to an assessment and evaluation because you are confident that you are innocent,” said Azurin.
He also defended the inclusion of Magalong in the five-man committee, saying: “Let’s also trust Mayor Magalong because he is not a general or Mayor Magalong for nothing. We all know his reputation, the character built by Mayor Magalong throughout his service. I am sure that he is not going to let that get tainted.”
Azurin said Marcos and Abalos will announce the final composition of the five-man committee.
During yesterday’s Laging Handa public briefing, Magalong declined to name the other members of the committee.
“Probably the best person to reveal the four others would be Secretary Benhur Abalos,” he said.
“I believe he did the right thing to call for resignation based on all the information that he gathered,” Magalong added without elaborating.
Magalong also said the committee is waiting for the signal to convene.
“Maybe, Secretary Abalos will have an announcement anytime soon as to when we will convene, when we will start. We are waiting,” he said.
Azurin said police units have conducted a total of 1,518 anti-drug operations throughout the country from January 1 to 14 this year that resulted in the seizure of P70.14 million worth of assorted illegal drugs.
“These operations resulted in the arrest of 2,092 persons for violation of different provisions of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, and were subsequently charged in court,” said Azurin.