NCRPO chief says officials to comply with courtesy resignation call

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Jonnel Estomo on Wednesday expressed support for Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos’ call for full police colonels and generals to submit their courtesy resignation as part of the measures to cleanse the Philippine National Police (PNP) of officials allegedly linked in the drug trade.

In a media briefing, Estomo said he is ready to sign and submit his courtesy resignation for the approval of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. He said all 60 to 70 officials of the NCRPO also agreed to the move but clarified no one will be forced to do so.

“Susuportahan ko ‘to kasi ako alam ko, hindi ako involved sa illegal drugs,” he told reporters.

(I will support this because I am not involved with illegal drugs.)

“Di ko alam ‘yung ibang regional offices pero dito sa NCRPO, more or less 60 to 70…pero syempre wala itong pwersahan, nasa kanila ‘yan. Sabi ko nga sa inyo, bilang regional director ng NCRPO sinusuportahan ko ito.. Kung sila magpipirma din, in short, sinusuportahan nila ako….Kung ‘yung iba ayaw mag-pirma, ok lang ‘yun. Walang pwersahan dito,” he added.

(I’m not sure with other regional offices but here in the NCRPO, we’re at least 60 to 70, but of course, we won’t force anybody. It still depends on their discretion. But as I said, I support this as the regional director of the NCRPO. If they will sign, that means they support me… If they won’t sign, they are free to do so.)

Earlier, Abalos asked the police officials to render their courtesy resignation as he expressed concern over the involvement of around 300 high-ranking police officers in the illegal activity.

A five-member committee will review the resignations of the police officers, the interior chief added, as he described the decision as a “shortcut” for the long process of the justice system, technicalities, and other factors in purging PNP of erring police officials.

Estomo said he was surprised by Abalos’ request but said he was “convinced” after a discussion with PNP Chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr.

“Simple lang naman ang sinabi ni Chief PNP kanina, we are submitting ourselves to be assessed and evaluated by the committee created for this purpose,” he said.

(What the PNP chief said earlier was simple. We are submitting ourselves to be assessed and evaluated by the committee created for this purpose.)—LDF, GMA Integrated News