PNP terminates 131 police from service in the first two months of this year

PNP recruits (File photo dated Feb. 20, 2024)

MANILA, Philippines — Around 131 police officers were dismissed from service from January 1 to February 14, 2024.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo gave the number in a press briefing on Thursday.

She said most of the terminations involved officers who went AWOL (absent without leave), while the rest were proven to have committed grave offenses.

“Around 131 persons po ang dismissed from the service po from January 1 to February 14, 2024,” reported the PNP official.

“62 cases involved in AWOL cases, while others were found guilty of grave offenses including robbery, illegal drugs, obstruction of justice, and conduct unbecoming of police officer po,” she added.

Last year, PNP reported more than 3,900 cops had been meted with administrative penalties from July 1, 2022 to January 3, 2024.

The number comprised 1.7 percent of the current 232,000-strong police organization.

During that period, 985 law enforcers were dismissed, 230 were demoted and 1,701 were suspended.

Moreover, 694 cops were reprimanded, 109 had their privileges withheld, 134 had their salaries forfeited, and 79 were restricted from leaving their camps.