Review of PNP courtesy resignations now complete — official

The five-man advisory group on Friday said it has completed the review on the courtesy resignations of 953 senior police officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In a statement, the advisory group’s spokesperson PNP Public Information Office acting chief Police Colonel Redrico Maranan said the screening was finished on Thursday.

“The advisory body convened yesterday, April 20th, for the 8th time since it was constituted to determine the fitness of all the senior officials to continue serving the PNP,” he said.

Maranan added the advisory group has drafted its report containing findings and recommendations.

The final report of the 5-member body is set to be endorsed to National Police Commission (Napolcom) chairperson and Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. for final review.

Then the final report will be presented to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for approval.

The five-man advisory group is composed of PNP chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr., Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs’ Undersecretary Isagani Neres, and former Defense chief Gilbert Teodoro Jr., and former Court of Appeals (CA) Associate Justice Melchor Quirino Sadang.

On January 4, Abalos appealed to senior PNP officials to submit their courtesy resignations as part of the government's efforts to rid the police force of officers involved in the illegal drug trade.

Abalos said this was “the only way to make a fresh start” in the PNP, as he expressed concern over the involvement of some high ranking police officers in the illegal drug trade.

The concerned officials were given until January 31 to submit their resignations. Of the 955 generals and full colonels, 12 did not submit their courtesy resignations.

According to Abalos, only one senior officer “technically” did not comply because the other 11 have already retired or are about to retire. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News