133 cops sacked, 525 punished, says PNP chief

MANILA, Philippines—In an effort to rid its ranks of “misfits,” the Philippine National Police said it has removed from service 133 policemen and punished 525 others during the first half of the year.

PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo said that while the national police office is “responsive to the morale and welfare needs of police personnel, and quick to give due recognition for exemplary performance of duty, the PNP is also swift and decisive in addressing issues on misconduct and breach of discipline.”

He said that there were less police officers with administrative and criminal cases this year than with the previous years.

In a statement, the PNP said that various offenses had led to the dismissal of 133 policemen while 525 others “were meted disciplinary sanctions for administrative offenses and involvement in irregularities.”

Records from December 1, 2010 to May 31 this year of the PNP’s Discipline, Law and Order Division revealed that the dismissed officers have cases of grave misconduct, serious irregularities, and involvement in criminal activities.

Of the number, 119 were from the regional offices while 14 were from the National Support Units. Under PNP rules, these officers will not receive any benefits, said PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr.

The PNP said the 525 erring officers were punished through demotion in rank, suspension, forfeiture of salary, reprimand, restriction to quarters, and withholding of privileges.

At the same time, it said that from December last year to May, 83 policemen “were dropped from its rolls, mostly for going on absence without official leave.”

The DPRM data showed that the 658 members of the PNP who received disciplinary punishment were part of the 1,412 officers who were investigated and charged in 1,435 cases over the past six months.

The PNP spokesman said that “all these 1,435 administrative cases stemmed from complaints which were all investigated and acted upon at the different levels of command, some of the respondents were meted non-disciplinary sanctions while others were either exonerated or their cases dropped.” He added that 983 of the cases were “serious or grave” cases while 144 were “less serious cases,” and 308 were “simple” ones.

Cruz said that the 199 administrative cases awaiting resolution were mostly carried-over from previous years. He added that the PNP chief gave all the police regional directors and national support units 30 days to resolve such cases.

The PNP said that its Task Force “Patnubay” manned by the DPRM keeps an eye on all administrative and criminal cases of police officers.