‘MORAL OBLIGATION’ | Abalos urges PNP colonels, generals to resign amid drug issues

January 4, 2023 , 03:13 PM

By Beatrice Puente

(January 4, 2022) – Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. on Wednesday appealed to high-ranking police officers to tender their courtesy resignation as a step toward cleansing their ranks of those linked to the drug trade.

Abalos admitted that his proposal is “radical” but he maintained that it’s a necessary move to address the perennial problem. The DILG oversees the Philippine National Police (PNP). Abalos said among those who also made the suggestion was PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr.

“Mahirap lumaban sa giyera na ultimo ang kakampi mo ang babaril sa likod mo. Kinakailangan linisin natin ang hanay natin. Kinakailangan ang taumbayan ay magtiwala sa atin,” said Abalos in a press conference. “We have a moral obligation na maski anong bahid sa droga ay wala tayo para tayo’y maging epektibo.”

Abalos said a five-person committee will be formed to review the resignations. But he explained that police officers will not be removed immediately unless the panel accepts their resignation after a careful assessment of their files. He did not disclose who will be part of the said committee but he said he’s not included.

He considers this move a “shortcut” to the long judicial process that they have been adhering to over the past decades.

“For the meantime, tuluy-tuloy pa rin ang serbisyo at huwag silang (PNP officers) mag-alala—kung sila’y malinis, wala namang problema,” said Abalos. “Iilan lang ito (na posibleng sangkot) pero nasa posisyon silang kritikal.”

Azurin, who Abalos said will not be spared from filing courtesy resignation, has assured that they have continued to crack down on erring PNP personnel as part of their internal cleansing program. Past PNP chiefs also rhapsodized about the same plan but the same problems have persisted, including corruption, extortion, abuse, and other illegal activities.

Many PNP officers were also involved in extrajudicial killings during the brutal war on drugs of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Last Friday, Azurin said 2,635 police officers faced disciplinary actions in 2022 over administrative offenses and other irregularities, noting the improvements that were felt.

“Through significant gains in the PNP internal reform program, PNP units fared well in performing our law enforcement and public safety mandate,” said Azurin.

Last October, authorities seized P6.7 billion worth of shabu in Manila. A member of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG), S/Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo Jr. was implicated in the storage of the confiscated narcotics weighing 990 kilos. Azurin said they are investigating the official who reassigned Mayo to the PDEG.

Former senator Ping Lacson, who headed the PNP, agreed with Abalos’ urging of top police officers to step down.

“Umabot na sa punto na naging malawakan na ang involvement ng ilang mga matataas na opisyal ng PNP sa illegal drugs,” said Lacson. “Tama lang ang ginawang rekomendasyon ni DILG Secretary Abalos para magkaroon ng fresh start ang pamunuan ng PNP.”

(PM)

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