NAPOLCOM: 69 COPS FACE DISMISSAL
The National Police Commission (Napolcom) yesterday clarified that 69 police officers - not 67 as the police claimed - face dismissal from service due to various offenses.
Rogelio Casurao, Napolcom vice chairman and executive officer, said dismissal proceedings were ongoing for 2 officers with the rank of senior superintendent, 3 with the rank of superintendent, 1 PCI (chief inspector), 2 PSI (senior inspector), 1 PI (inspector), 1 SPO4 (senior police officer), 2 SPO2, 4 SPO1, 17 PO3 (police officer), 16 PO2, and 20 PO1.
“For clarity purposes, dismissal proceedings (are) still ongoing,” Casurao said.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald Dela Rosa earlier said Casurao had told him that Napolcom will submit to Malacañang within the month its resolution on the case of the police officers.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said he wanted the officers dismissed from service.
“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 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 were accused of were neglect of duty, absence without official leave (awol), grave misconduct and 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 of erring policemen.
“We will be harsher this time around. Harsh to the harshest level, basta wala kaming patawad, no mercy kami sa mga tiwaling pulis,” he said.
Dela Rosa cited the four policemen who were caught using firecrackers during holidays.
He said he will make sure they will be dismissed from the service.
Dela Rosa said as the New Year came, the public should expect him to be consistent in their campaign against 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.