Ilocos regional, provincial top cops heed DILG’s courtesy resignation call

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

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte – Ilocos regional police chief Brig. Gen. John Chua submitted his courtesy resignation on Friday, following the call of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos who is bent on cleansing the country’s police force of officials linked to illegal drugs.

The four provincial directors in the region, namely, Col. Julius Suriben (Ilocos Norte), Col. Marlo A. Castillo (Ilocos Sur), Col. Lambert Suerte (La Union), and Col. Jeff Fanged (Pangasinan) also submitted their courtesy resignations on Friday.

Chua said in a statement that he was leading other officers in the region in “voluntary submitting ourselves to undergo the necessary assessment and evaluation process that the designated committee will conduct.”

Abalos earlier said that a five-member committee will be in charge of evaluating and deciding whether or not to accept or refuse the resignation of the police officials.

Chua was named Ilocos regional police director in Oct. 24 last year.

Strengthen, empower

Those who would be complying with the call for resignation would remain in the police force until such time their resignations “are accepted by the President,” according to Abalos.

The DILG exercises administrative control over the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Chua said that his office wholeheartedly supports the DILG secretary in his efforts to cleanse the Philippine National Police.

He added in his statement that the initiative was an “opportunity to strengthen and empower our organization with discipline, integrity and professionalism.”

Chua is a member of the PNP Academy Class of 1992.

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