Napolcom set to release decision on ‘resigned’ cops

MANILA, Philippines — The National Police Commission (Napolcom) will release in two days its decision on the resignation of 953 police generals and colonels, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said yesterday.

At a press conference, Abalos said the Napolcom, which he chairs, reviewed the recommendation of a five-member advisory panel who evaluated the courtesy resignations of 953 third-level officers after they submitted their courtesy resignations.

“Let’s wait. It is now with the Napolcom... With me is the new PNP (Philippine National Police) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. and our vice chairman Alberto Bernardo. We are going to make a statement about this. Give us two days so that all legalities will be covered. We just want that when we make a statement, we have an airtight case,” he added.

Last Tuesday, former PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said the five-member advisory panel he headed recommended the removal from service of four ranking police officials, including two one-star generals and two colonels, due to alleged involvement in illegal drug activities.

“I just want to reassure the public that there will be really a house cleansing, but we also want to make sure that all legalities will be observed here,” Abalos said.

He added that Napolcom members met last Tuesday to discuss the recommendation of the five-man panel.

“We will announce how many resignations will be accepted and what will happen to them,” the Department of the Interior and Local Government chief said.

The panel endorsed the filing of administrative charges against the officials before the Napolcom for violation of the PNP’s rules and regulations against illegal drugs.

Aside from Azurin, other members of the panel are Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, former defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro, retired police general Isagani Nerez and former Court of Appeals associate justice Melchor Sadang.

At the same time, Abalos said the Napolcom fact-finding team chaired by Bernardo is expected to announce the result of the investigation on the extent of the conspiracy involving the 990 kilos of shabu.

“These are the personalities seen in the video tapes. There are so many questions to be answered. In two more weeks, the decision will be made public,” Abalos added.

PNP Mum

The PNP leadership is mum on the recommendation of a five-man panel regarding the acceptance of the courtesy resignations of four ranking police officials due to suspected involvement in illegal drugs.

Acorda declined to speak on the matter during an interview aired over Net25 yesterday.

“We will be coming up, we will hold a press briefing,” Acorda said.

He added that he does not want to preempt Abalos’ announcement on the matter.

In a letter to President Marcos, a copy of which was seen by The STAR, Azurin said he and other panel members have concluded that there is sufficient basis to recommend the acceptance of the courtesy resignations of the police officials.

The two generals used to head the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG), the unit in charge of conducting sustained operations against national and international drug syndicates in the country.

The other two officials were also assigned at the PDEG and held sensitive positions within the unit.

The four officials are currently on floating status, which means they are not holding key positions in the PNP.

Meanwhile, Acorda has ordered other police units to join the Napolcom probe on the alleged cover-up in the arrest of dismissed anti-narcotics officer Rodolfo Mayo Jr. and the seizure of 990 kilos of shabu worth P6.7 billion in Tondo, Manila in October last year.

Acorda named the units as the Internal Affairs Service, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the PDEG.

Also included is Special Investigation Task Group 990 headed by Maj. Gen. Eliseo Cruz, director of the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management. – Emmanuel Tupas