PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. yesterday said the police force has implemented President Marcos Jr.’s order accepting the resignation from the service of 18 generals and colonels.
“They are deemed resigned (from the service),” Acorda told reporters in an ambush interview at the PNP national headquarters in Camp Crame.
Acorda said the three brigadier generals and 15 colonels will receive part of their benefits but did not provide further details.
Acorda said he went to Malacanang a few days ago few days ago to secure a copy of the President’s order. Malacanang announced the President’s acceptance of the resignation of the 18 Tuesday last week.
A total of 953 generals and colonels heeded the call of Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. last January to submit their courtesy resignations as part of efforts to cleanse the ranks of the PNP of officers involved in illegal drugs.
The 953 underwent vetting by a five-man advisory group, which recommended to the National Police Commission the acceptance of the resignations of the 18 officers, led by Brig. Generals Remus Medina, Randy Peralta and Pablo Labra II.
The Napolcom forwarded the recommendation to the President, who later approved it.
“We have implemented the order or the acceptance (of the resignation of the 18 officers). We issued the appropriate orders with regard to the acceptance,” said Acorda.
“He (President) gave the letter, we received the letter. We got the acceptance letter so we implemented it. The courtesy resignations of these 18 offices were accepted so we implemented it. With regards to the orders issued, they are resigned,” said Acorda.
PNP Public Information Office chief Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said the resignation of the 18 officers from the service took effect last July 21.
On whether the officers can appeal their resignations, Acorda said: “That depends on them. They have the option. As to their next move, I leave it to them.”
Acorda said the posts vacated by the 18 officers will be filled in immediately, adding there are officers who can ably succeed them.
“They (vacated posts) will be filled up as soon as possible. The vacuum that will be created because of this acceptance and implementation (of the order) should be filled up immediately,” said Acorda.
Acorda reiterated his call to all PNP personnel to continue doing their jobs and not let themselves get affected by the issue involving the 18 senior officials.
He urged policemen to “do our job professionally in all honesty and in accordance to the rule of law” to avoid similar calls for courtesy resignation in the future.
