PNP review panel aims to finish within 3 months

The five-man advisory group looking into the resignations of top Philippine National Police officials is eyeing to finish the evaluations and discussions within three months, PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said.

At a press briefing yesterday morning, Azurin said they are set to finalize the house rules that would be used to evaluate and assess the third level officers.

He said the five-man panel has already made an initial draft for the guidelines to comment on, and they would be making the final recommendation or rectification within the week.

“In the same manner, part of the discussion will also be how do we intend to finish the job in less than three months because it has to be fast,” Azurin told reporters in Filipino.

“The data is already there for them to look at and see for their evaluations on the third level officers,” he said, adding that they will look into whether Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth would be “part of the concern” of the advisory group.

“We will see (if it is needed) because what (we are looking at) is the involvement of the third level (officers) purely on drugs. So that is what we will look at,” he said.

Third level officials of the PNP were earlier asked to submit their courtesy resignations as the government aimed to rid the ranks of rogue policemen linked to illegal drugs.

A total of 943 PNP generals and colonels submitted their courtesy resignations.

“With the composition of the five-member Advisory group now complete, we are optimistic that the process of evaluation and vetting can commence expeditiously this week to purge the ranks of third-level senior officers of those with involvement in illegal drug activities,” Azurin said.

Azurin leads the five-member panel, which also includes Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong,

former defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro, former police general Isagani Nerez and former Court of Appeals Associate Justice Melchor Sadang.

The police chief said after the processing of the five-man advisory group, their findings will be sent to the National Police Commission for final review, before it will be forwarded to President Marcos for his approval.