36 resigned PNP officers to undergo further evaluation

MANILA, Philippines — Thirty-six of the 953 third-level officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who submitted their courtesy resignations will undergo further evaluation by the National Police Commission (Napolcom) after a five-man advisory team initially cleared 917 of them.

The result of the evaluation will be submitted to Malacañang.

“The 917 officials were not recommended to have their courtesy resignations accepted. Meaning, based on the assessment and evaluation, they were not found to be involved in illegal drug activities,” PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said yesterday.

Fajardo said this does not mean that the resignation of the 36 officials would be accepted.

“There are just some issues that need to be investigated and validated. Remember, the power of the advisory council is not that extensive. They are just an advisory council,” she said.

“Some information that have reached the attention of the advisory council need another layer of investigation. The Napolcom will tackle that since it has administrative control and operational supervision over the PNP,” she added.

Fajardo said she was not authorized to divulge whether those officials tagged in the 990 kilograms of suspected shabu are among the 36 officials.

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said it is up to President Marcos to decide whether to make public the names of the officials who would not be cleared in the investigation.

“With regards to making the names public, I think it will be the option or based on the recommendation of the advisory group. If the process is completed, it will be submitted to the President,” Acorda said.

He likened the PNP organization to a family, wherein those who commit an offense are punished, but not embarrassed.

“If they have to be put behind bars, then by all means… but what is good for our family, we should also report it. Let the people know,” Acorda said.