(Caraga Regional Police file photo)
BUTUAN CITY – The Police Regional Office in Caraga (PRO-13) has reported a total of 70 administrative cases filed against police personnel involved in different offenses this year, as the command ramped up efforts in disciplining and cleaning its ranks.
In a statement Thursday, PRO-13 Regional Director Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. said the number is based on the records provided by the Discipline, Law, and Order Section (DLOS) of PRO-13.
“Of the 70 cases filed, 58 are considered solved with 32 personnel penalized,” Caramat said.
He said of the 32 police officers penalized, five were dismissed from the service, 10 were suspended, another 10 reprimanded, and seven were either forfeited of their salary, restricted to specified limits or demoted.
“Twenty-six police officers were also exonerated and therefore absolved from their cases after due consideration,” he said.
Three of the five dismissed from the service, he pointed out, committed grave neglect of duty after they went on AWOL or absence without official leave, another committed a homicide offense, while one violated the provisions of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 by using illegal drugs.
The report of the DLOS, he added, was a collection of data from the police’s Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division - 13, Regional Internal Affairs Service-13, and the lower units of PRO-13.
“PRO-13’s vigilance in cleaning up its ranks is the manifestation of the mandate of internal cleansing of the Philippine National Police (PNP),” Caramat said.
He added that the dismissal of police officers involved in various offenses was necessary to instill discipline in the PNP organization and in the fulfillment of the PNP’s role as public servants sworn to serve and protect. (PNA)
