GRADUATES of the Philippine National Police Academy yesterday said Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos should not limit the membership of the five-man committee that will review the courtesy resignations of senior police officials to graduates of the Philippine Military Academy.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a retired police official who is a product of the PNPA said this was the sentiment of his fellow PNPA graduates — retired and those still active — after Abalos disclosed the names of four of the five members of the committee that will vet the courtesy resignations of senior police officials.
Last week, Abalos said Undersecretary Isagani Neres, from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs, of PMA Class of 1984; PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. of PMA Class of 1989; and former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, a graduate of De La Salle University in Manila have been named to the committee, joining Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, of PMA Class of 1982.
Abalos said the fifth member did not want to be identified.
“Bakit puro (Why are they mostly) PMAyer, except for former Defense Secretary Teodoro? Why no PNPAyer?” the retired police official said.
He said Azurin should not have been named to the committee, adding Abalos should have named someone either from the academe or religious groups.
He also said the fifth member of the committee should be identified.
“Why is there an anonymous member? If he or she does not want to be identified, he or she should also not vote (during the deliberations),” he added.
Last month, Abalos called on third level officials (from full-fledged colonel to star-rank officers) to submit their courtesy resignations to fast-track the PNP’s drive to rid the force of officers linked to illegal drugs.
