PNP officials who heeded resignation call to undergo lifestyle check —Azurin

Police generals and colonels who submitted their courtesy resignation will undergo lifestyle check, Unang Balita reported on Wednesday, citing Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr.

According to Azurin, the lifestyle check will be part of the efforts of the five-man committee that will assess the courtesy resignations and make a recommendation to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. 

At latest count, over 500 high-ranking police officials have already submitted their courtesy resignation, but it was unclear if these include the 10 reportedly involved in the illegal drug trade.

Meanwhile, according to the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), it would be preferable to just charge the officials involved in the illegal drug trade, as asking for the courtesy resignation of all senior officials could lead to demoralization in the PNP.

The PNP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have yet to comment on VACC's statement.

It was DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos who appealed to PNP generals and full colonels to submit their courtesy resignation as part of the efforts to rid the police force of erring officials.

5-day deadline?

Meanwhile, a regional police official denied that there is a five-day deadline for PNP full colonels and generals to file their courtesy resignations.

"That's not true, 'no? It's voluntary and we did not receive any notice kung kailan," said Police Brigadier General Rommel Francisco Marbil, the Eastern Visayas regional director, on ANC.

Asked if the resignations and lifestyle checks will affect the performance of the PNP, Marbil said this is nothing new as cops also undergo lifestyle checks.

"Initially, nobody wants changes talaga. Parang lahat talaga they want to maintain the status quo. But there’s nothing new kasi ito naman talaga 'yung ginagawa natin sa PNP natin," Marbil said.

"'Yung lifestyle check ginagawa na po natin 'yan," he added. —with Joahna Lei Casilao/KBK, GMA Integrated News