Magalong part of committee to screen PNP generals, colonels resignations —Abalos

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong will be one of the five members of the committee that will review the courtesy resignations of police generals and full colonels, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos said Friday.

"Nakita mo naman 'yung integridad, 'yung credibility ng taong ito. Napakalinis talaga nito [You've seen his integrity and credibility. He's very clean],” Abalos said in an interview on Dobol B TV.

Magalong is a retired police official who once headed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and served as the deputy chief for operations of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Abalos, during the interview, maintained that he could not reveal the names of the other committee members yet for security reasons. He said the members will come from different backgrounds.

Abalos also said Magalong has allowed him to reveal his name to the public.

‘Not surprised’

In a separate radio interview, Magalong said he was not surprised that Abalos made the move as he already had prior information about cops linked to illegal drugs.

“Nakakalungkot na maski alam mo na may mga matataas na opisyal e may link sa drug dealings, minsan kulang ka ng ebidensya kaya matagal ang pagkuha ng ebidensya, matagal ang pag-file ng kaso,” he said.

(It is saddening that even though you know that there are high-ranking officials who are linked to drug dealings, sometimes you lack evidence, that is why the gathering of evidence and filing of cases take a long time.)

“Minsan, nafru-frustrate ka kaya itong ginawa ni SILG after due consultation with the leadership of the PNP and stakeholders, tama ito para mapabilis,” he aded.

(Sometimes, you would get frustrated, that is why what the SILG has done, with due consultation with the PNP leadership and stakeholders, this is a right  move to speed up the process.)

According to Magalong, the majority of the League of Cities members expressed support for the call for the courtesy resignations of generals and full colonels.

Abalos earlier asked PNP generals and full colonels to submit their courtesy resignation as part of efforts to rid the police force of officers involved in the illegal drug trade.

The five-member committee will review the resignations of the police officers

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. earlier said they recommended to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. around 22 names to be included in the committee.

“It will always be the President who will select. Actually, we submitted 22 names and it does not limit the President from looking into other possible members ng five-man committee,” he said at a press briefing Thursday.  —KBK/RSJ, GMA Integrated News