File photo from PNP
MANILA, Philippines — The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has recommended to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to accept the courtesy resignations of two police generals and two colonels and the further investigation of 32 other officers, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said on Monday.
Last April 25, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced that 917 of the 953 senior police officers had been cleared by the five-member team tasked to assess the officials’ alleged links to illegal drugs.
The remaining 36 were subjected to further investigation by Napolcom.
Aside from accepting the courtesy resignation of four police officials, Abalos revealed that Napolcom also recommended the rejecting the resignations of 917 officers
“The Advisory Group recommended the following: non-acceptance of the resignations of 917 officers; further investigation of 32 other officers; and acceptance of the courtesy resignations and the filing of administrative and or criminal cases against four officers, specifically two generals and two colonels,” Abalos said in a press briefing held at Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) – Napolcom center in Quezon City.
Abalos, however, clarified that acceptance of resignation does not release the four police officials from any liability.
Last April 24, the four police officials, whom Abalos did not name, faced formal complaints for grave misconduct and neglect of duty filed by PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. with Napolcom.
“The penalty for these offenses is dismissal, forfeiture of benefits, and perpetual disqualification from any public office,” he said.
President Marcos, last May 5, announced that he would accept the courtesy resignations of the two generals. Abalos said Napolcom is waiting for the transmittal from Malacañang to make the announcement official.
As for the two police colonels, Abalos said that Napolcom issued a resolution to proceed with the pre-charge investigation against them.
“Rest assured that Napolcom will carry out its sworn duty to supervise and strengthen our police force,” he said.