Abalos eyes adjusting PNP structure after high officials’ resignations

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos on Tuesday said he is looking at adjusting the structure of the Philippine National Police (PNP) after its high-ranking officials submitted their courtesy resignations.

In an ambush interview, Abalos said he is considering conducting a review and reforms in the structure of the PNP.

“Ngayon nakita natin yung reforms na dapat natin gawin (Now we see the reforms that we have to do). Siguro (Perhaps) let's look also at the legal side. Let's review the institution, the structures,” he said.

“Magtatanong tayo sa mga retired police ano ba ang dapat nating baguhin to the structure itself? Bakit tayo napunta sa ganito (We will ask retired police officials what we need to change to the structure itself? Why did we end up to this?)

Abalos earlier called on generals and full colonels in the PNP to file their courtesy resignations in order to rid the police force of officers who are allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.

A five-man committee, including Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, will screen the resignations. The National Police Commission will review the police officers whose resignations are accepted.

On Monday, PNP chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said three generals and eight full colonels have yet to file their courtesy resignations.

Azurin said the PNP will review the police officials who will not file their courtesy resignations after January 31.

While doing these efforts, Abalos said the PNP structure should be reviewed including laws, grievance mechanism, whether the Internal Affairs Service should be under or outside the PNP, recruitment, among others.

“These kinds of reforms, kailangan natin ito (we need these),” he said. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News