Five-man panel to review PNP officials’ resignation named
The composition of the fiveman advisory group tasked to evaluate high-ranking police officers who submitted their courtesy resignation is now complete.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr., former Defense chief Gilbert Teodoro Jr., retired major general Isagani Neres, and another one whose identity was not divulged will join Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong in the review panel.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos named the five-man group in a Palace briefing on Wednesday, Feb. 1.
Although the fifth man on the team was not named, Abalos assured the public that members “are known for their unquestionable integrity, credibility, and untainted reputation.”
According to Abalos, the advisory group will be checking the records of all resigned police officers “one-byone.” The names of the officers will then be passed on to the National Police Commission (Napolcom) for another review.
While the advisory group has been completed, there are still no guidelines in place for the process of screening police officers who have possible links to illegal drug trade.
Abalos said the DILG and PNP will come up with a list of guidelines later on for the approval of the advisory team.
He, however, assured the screening process “will be very independent” and the group will be allowed to “decide for their own” after the government provides them with an intelligence report.
Abalos said out of the 955 senior police officials, 12 failed to comply with the resignation call. However, 11 of them have already retired.
So, technically, Abalos said, only one police officer out of the 955 generals and full colonels has yet to submit his courtesy resignation. The identity was not disclosed.
“We fully respect his right. As I have told you before, we are not ordering or commanding anyone; it was just an appeal. I would like to reiterate, it’s an appeal,” Abalos said, referring to the fate of the one official who has yet to comply with the call for resignation.
“No sanctions will be done, nothing at all. But siyempre aalamin namin bakit ayaw niya iyon. Aalamin talaga namin nang husto iyon (But, of course, we will look into why he refused to comply. We will find out). But other than those, as I have told people time and again and assure the police, no sanctions at all,” he added.
Abalos’ call for resignation among colonels and generals in the PNP last month was triggered by the controversy that hit the police force in connection with the campaign against illegal drugs.