‘Narco purge’ of PNP top brass one step closer to President
FILE PHOTO: Philippine National Police
MANILA, Philippines — The courtesy resignations of 953 Philippine National Police (PNP) generals and colonels, which were turned in as part of the government’s bid to purge the organization’s ranks of illegal drug links, are one step closer to being decided upon by the President.
In a statement on Friday, PNP public information office chief Col. Redrico Maranan said the five-man committee led by national police chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. convened on Thursday to complete its evaluation of the records of senior PNP officials.
“The [five-man body] has wrapped up work and drafted its report containing the findings and recommendations,” Maranan, also the panel’s spokesman, said.
READ: Azurin leads five-member panel on ‘narco cops’ purge
The development comes days ahead of Azurin’s retirement on April 24. Azurin is the first to take the helm of the PNP under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Maranan said the report will be “formally endorsed” to the National Police Commission chaired by Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., for the final layer of evaluation before elevating the report to Marcos for his approval.
In January, Abalos – with the go-ahead of Marcos – sounded the call for all high-ranking PNP officers to turn in their courtesy resignations and subject themselves to the review in a bid to weed out erring policemen with ties to criminal drug syndicates.
The move was met with a slew of criticisms, even from lawmakers who said the government’s approach will only help law-offending police officers avoid taking accountability for their actions.
