67 cops face dismissal
THE National Police Commission (Napolcom) will submit to Malacañang within the month its resolution on the case of the 67 police officers who President Rodrigo Duterte said he wanted to dismiss from the service due to various offenses, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald Dela Rosa said Monday.
“I asked for an update from the executive officer and vice chairman of Napolcom Attorney (Rogelio) Casurao, tinatanong ko s’ya kung saan na ‘yung case folders nung according to the President ay idi-dismiss n’ya at the start of this year na 67 police officers,” he said.
“He told me na within the month mare-resolve nila lahat ‘yun. He promised Malacanang that the resolutions of these 67 police officers will be submitted to Malacanang for approval by the President before the end of the month," he added.
Dela Rosa said the highest rank of the police official included in the list is a Senior Superintendent.
“Well depende sa resolution na galing sa Napolcom. Kung ang resolution is talagang dismissal from the service then I am sure the President will agree right away and he will sign the dismissal order lalo na dito sa mga third level police officers, ‘yung senior superintendent,” he said.
Dela Rosa said among the offenses the police officers had faced were neglect of duty, absence without official leave (awol), grave misconduct and their involvement on illegal drugs transaction.
He, however, assured that they are properly observing due process to ensure that the dismissed officials will no longer be able to return to the service.
“Ino-observe natin properly ‘yung due process na may minimum number of days. Hindi pwede ‘yung issue ka lang ng order na dismiss kayo na walang due process, makakabalik agad ‘yan,” he added.
Meantime, Dela Rosa said they will become “harsher” in cleaning their ranks from erring policemen especially with the support of former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff now Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) officer-in-charge Eduardo Ano who vowed to help fix the image of the police.
“We will be harsher this time around. Harsh to the harhest level basta wala kaming patawad, no mercy kami sa mga tiwaling pulis,” he said.
Dela Rosa said among those who will experience their harsh sanctions were the four policemen who were caught using firecrackers during holidays.
He said he will make sure that they will be dismissed from the service.
Dela Rosa said as the New Year came, the public should expect him to be consistent particularly in their campaign against police scalawags.
“You expect me to be consistent with what I have been saying. I will walk the talk, kapag sinabi ko gagawin ko talaga and ‘yun pa rin ang aking number 1 priority is internal cleansing, linisin namin ang PNP,” he said. (SunStar Philippines/Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo)