INTERNAL CLEANSING. Police Regional Office (PRO)-Central Visayas director Brig. Gen. Jerry Bearis answers questions from the local media at the Philippine Information Agency regional office in Cebu City on Thursday (Jan. 5, 2023). Bearis said PRO-7 fully supports the call of DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. on police officials holding the rank of colonel to general to tender courtesy resignation as part of internal cleansing. (PNA photo by John Rey Saavedra)
CEBU CITY – The top police official in Central Visayas on Thursday said the call of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. on police officials to tender courtesy resignation is assured of “full support”.
Brig. Gen. Jerry Bearis, director of the Police Regional Office-Region 7 (PRO-7), said he got the commitment of full-fledged colonels and generals in the region to cooperate with the Marcos administration’s new strategy in the war on drugs.
“This is a very nice approach for us to cleanse our ranks. This intensifies and renews our commitment to win (the war) against the proliferation of illegal drugs,” Bearis said on the sideline of a media forum in the region.
He said shortly after he learned of Abalos’ announcement calling them to hand in their courtesy resignation, he gathered the police colonels and generals at the Camp Sergio Osmeña Sr. here to “express our all-out support”.
He said he sees no problem with the approach, saying doing so will “really enhance the image and credibility of the Philippine National Police (PNP)”.
“It will improve our operations at the grassroots level and enhance the good image not only of the PNP but also the entire country,” he said.
Abalos, whose video was posted on social media announcing his call for resignation, said he was doing it to protect the police operatives who are lower in ranks against high-ranked officials holding “sensitive positions”.
However, Abalos said the resignations of only those who are involved in illegal drugs will be dealt with in consonance with the existing procedures.
When asked if there are police officials in the region who are involved in illegal drugs, Bearis said the PRO-7 is strengthening its counter-intelligence operations “to deal with” them.
He said he believes that the “Committee of Five” will be fair in handling the investigation on ranked police officials involved in illegal drugs.
“Actually, we believe they (the committee members) are all honorable. We really believe in their credibility and integrity,” he said.
Col. Ireneo Dalogdog, Cebu City Police chief, also expressed support for Abalos’ resignation call, saying it has an impact on the capital city’s campaign against illegal drugs. (PNA)
