PNP expels 584 errant cops; 2,051 others get less severe penalties

This file photo shows members of the Philippine National Police. Photo from PNP

PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. on Friday revealed that a total of 2,635 police personnel were slapped with various penalties after being found administratively liable for violating PNP rules and regulations or being involved in criminal activities. 

Citing a report from the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM), Azurin said 584 of the delinquent police personnel were dismissed from service – 321 for absent without leave cases, 42 for using illegal drugs, 15 for failure to attend court duty, 20 for violence against women and the rest for being implicated in cases of murder, homicide, vehicle theft, illegal drugs, robbery extortion, and rape.

Azurin said 164 were demoted in rank, 1,225 suspended, 456 reprimanded, 117 handed down salary forfeiture penalties, 26 restricted to quarters, and 63 denied of privileges.

Crime rate drop

He pointed out a “significant decrease in both index and non-index crime incidents, as well as the eight focus crime categories and eight special complex crimes” compared to its records in 2021. 

“Through significant gains in the PNP internal reform program, PNP units fared well in performing our law enforcement and public safety mandate,” Azurin said in a statement.

The PNP reported 34,050 index crimes from Jan. 1 to Nov. 13, representing a decline of 2.66 percent, or 932 cases, compared to figures in the same period last year. 

After taking over as PNP chief in August, Azurin took cognizance of an apparent problem in the reputation of police officers, particularly in Metro Manila. 

But he has since maintained that errant acts committed by police personnel do not reflect the entire police organization.

 gsg/abc