PNP Headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City. (Photo from the PNP Facebook page)
MANILA, Philippines — A total of 925 out of 953 – or 97% — generals and colonels of the Philippine National Police have submitted their courtesy resignation ahead of the Jan. 31 deadline set by Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., the PNP chief.
PNP spokesperson Jean Fajardo, who gave the figures in a text message on Saturday, said there would be no penalty for those who will not submit their resignation, as it was only on a voluntary basis, as stated by Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr.
A five-member committee will conduct an evaluation of the officers who have submitted their courtesy resignations to trace their possible links to the illegal drug trade.
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, a retired police general, is so far the only member of the committee who has been revealed to the public.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Abalos gave this warning to officers found to have links with illegal drugs: “The process does not end upon the acceptance of courtesy resignation. As I previously stated, even if a police official is allowed to retire for the time being, the monitoring and investigation must continue, to gather evidence that may lead to eventual criminal prosecution. We must always act within the rule of law. As a lawyer, I want to make sure that cases filed shall succeed and can withstand court litigation.”