INTERIOR Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. yesterday identified three more members of the five-man committee that will screen the courtesy resignations of more than 940 PNP generals and colonels.
One of them is PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., who will “steer” the body set to begin work after the January 31 deadline for the submission of the resignations had lapsed.
The two others are former Defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro and retired police general Isagani Nerez, an undersecretary for police affairs at the Office of Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs.
Abalos said the fifth member does not want his name to be made public.
They will join retired police general and now Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, whose membership in the committee was announced by Abalos three weeks ago.
“They are known for their unquestionable integrity, credibility and untainted reputation,” Abalos told a press briefing at Malacanang. “I am definite that this advisory group shall remain apolitical throughout the process of screening and in the end penalize only those guilty and involved in the illegal drugs trade.
“We are going to discuss how to go about this problem because it’s important that we will be transparent,” he added.
Abalos said the committee members will not receive any salary or allowance, adding: “They’re doing this voluntarily, they’re just advising.”
The PNP had earlier recommended to Abalos a total of 22 candidates for the committee.
The list was later forwarded to President Marcos Jr. for approval.
“They will go through the records, one by one. They will go through the names and submit to the National Police Commission the names of those whose resignation shall be accepted,” said Abalos.
He said the Napolcom will review the recommendation of the committee. The Napolcom is chaired by Abalos and includes Azurin as an ex-officio commissioner.
Abalos urged all police generals and colonels or third level officers to submit their courtesy resignations last January 4 after an investigation showed that less than 10 generals and colonels in the active service have links to illegal drugs.
There were 155 generals and colonels at that time Abalos aired the appeal. Abalos said 12 officers did not submit courtesy resignations.
Of the 12, five had retired after reaching the retirement age of 56, six are nearing retirement, while another is not reaching retirement soon.
“If we are going to look at the figures, technically, only one has not yet submitted (his) resignation out of 955,” Abalos said, referring to the lone officer who is not due for retirement. The officer was not identified.
Abalos said he respects the decision of those who did not heed his call, adding: “As I’ve told you before, we are not ordering anyone or commanding anyone. It was just an appeal… No sanctions will be done, nothing at all.”
Abalos said the lone officer who is not due for retirement told him his decision not to file a courtesy resignation was “his personal choice.”
Azurin and members of the PNP Command Group — PNP deputy chief for administration Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia, PNP deputy chief for operations PNP deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Benjamin Santos, and PNP Chief Directorial Staff Lt. Gen. Michael John Dubria — were among those who immediately heeded the call of Abalos.
Asked how the five-man committee will proceed with the screening of Azurin’s courtesy resignation, Abalos said: “Actually, he was already screened. I already talked with the President about it. Obviously, his resignation was not accepted.
“He is the person who will steer this committee,” Abalos said, adding Azurin will be in the best position to give intelligence information to other members of the committee.
Asked how long the committee can complete the vetting process, Abalos said: “About three months. We hope it will be finished in three months. The sooner we finish this, the better.”
In a statement, Azurin said he was “honored” and “grateful” to Marcos for appointing him to the committee.
Azurin also thanked Abalos “for supporting this endeavor and endorsing the noble cause to the President.
“I know this is a very challenging and daunting task, but I see this as a recognition of the trust and confidence by no less than our President, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,” said Azurin.
Azurin said it is his personal belief the call of Abalos “came into (the) picture at the right time and opportunity,” adding: “And with this once in a lifetime pursuit, it defines the character of each third level officer.”
He also urged the Filipino people to trust the process “as we hope and work to mold a better and stronger PNP that is always ready to serve. “
Azurin also assured the generals and colonels that the screening process will be “fair, objective and judicious at all stages, making sure that zero tolerance for personal biases and political color shall be observed.
“At the end of this exercise, we can be sure that the PNP will be in good and reliable hands of trustworthy third level officers,” Azurin said.
