52 cops sacked, 313 others punished for offenses - PNP

MANILA, Philippines - A total of 52 policemen had been dismissed from the service after committing various offenses during the last four months, Philippine National Police Chief Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon said Sunday. In a statement, Razon said the PNP had also slapped 313 erring policemen with disciplinary sanctions for administrative offenses and involvement in irregularities from January to April. "While the PNP is quick and grateful in giving due recognition to outstanding personnel for good performance, the PNP is also swift and decisive in addressing issues on discipline by some erring members of the force," Razon said. The 52 dismissed personnel were involved in cases ranging from grave misconduct, serious irregularities, and involvement criminal activities. Those dismissed were a police commissioned officer, 50 police non-commissioned officer, and a non-uniformed personnel. Benefits due to these dismissed personnel have been curtailed, according to PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Nicanor A. Bartolome. Penalties given to the sanction law enforcers, meanwhile, were demotion in rank, suspension, forfeiture of salary, reprimand, forced resignation, and restriction to quarters. During the four-month period from January to April this year, there were also 55 PNP personnel who were dropped from rolls, mostly for going on absence without official leave (AWOL). Citing records from the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM), Bartolome said the 365 personnel meted disciplinary punishment were among the 881 personnel who were investigated and charged in 589 cases handled by the different summary hearing boards over the past four months. Task Force "Patnubay" of the DPRM keeps track of all administrative and criminal cases involving PNP personnel. At present, there are still 3,127 pending administrative cases awaiting resolution in the summary hearing boards, mostly carry-over cases from the previous years. - GMANews.TV