PNP chief Azurin to wait until end-January for other courtesy resignations —spox

The Philippine National Police on Saturday said PNP chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. will wait until the end of the month for other senior officers to tender their courtesy resignations.

"Ang sabi ni Chief PNP, maghihintay siya hanggang katapusan ng buwan para makumpleto [ang mga naghain ng courtesy resignation]," PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said in an interview on Dobol B TV.

(The Chief PNP said he will wait until the end of the month for the courtesy resignations to be completed.)

So far, 904 senior generals and full colonels of the PNP have given their courtesy resignations. This represents 95% of the 953 total number of senior generals and full colonels in service as of Friday, Fajardo said.

"Sir from the original 956 na 3rd level officers, its now 953 in view of the retirement of 3 sr officers last week. 95% (904) out of the 953 already submitted courtesy resignation," she told GMA News Online.

"As of yesterday, nasa 953 na po from the original 956 na senior officers," Fajardo said in an interview on Dobol B TV.

Fajardo also said some more courtesy resignations are expected, mostly from Visayas and Mindanao, and they are just awaiting for these to be transmitted to the PNP national headquarters.

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos on Wednesday, January 4, asked generals and full colonels in the PNP to submit their courtesy resignation as part of the government's efforts to rid the police force of officers involved in the illegal drug trade.

Abalos had expressed concern over the involvement of some high ranking police officers in the illegal activity.

Azurin said those who gave their courtesy resignation will undergo lifestyle check. 

This 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.

Fajardo  said she herself was one of those who have submitted their courtesy resignations early on.

Those who have tendered their courtesy resignation will stay in their posts until their resignations have been accepted, so as not to disrupt services, she added. —KG, GMA Integrated News