ZAMBOANGA CITY – Sixteen key officers of the Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula (PRO-9) have tendered their courtesy resignations in support of the internal cleansing campaign of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
In a statement Wednesday, Brig. Gen. Neil Alinsañgan, PRO-9 director, said the courtesy resignation was filed through the Regional Personnel Records and Management Division on Monday.
Along with Alinsañgan, those who tendered their resignations include Brig. Gen. Gerardo Umayao, deputy regional director for administration, and 14 colonels holding key command positions.
“Though the submission (of courtesy resignation) is voluntary in nature, all third-level officers of PRO-9 composed of two brigadier generals and 14 colonels submitted their letters (of resignation),” Alinsañgan said.
All PRO-9 officials also took drug tests early this week and were found to be negative for illegal drug use, the police official said.
“The men and women of PRO-9 are in high spirits and will continue to serve and protect the people of Zamboanga Peninsula,” he said.
He said the PNP internal cleansing program is for the betterment of the organization as a whole.
Alinsañgan said PRO-9 is committed to supporting the program of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., for the transformation of the PNP organization.
“I do believe that the appeal to submit courtesy resignation is for the best interest of the country, this is aimed to give us a fresh start and a better chance of winning the war against illegal drugs,” he said.
On Jan. 4, Abalos called on all PNP generals and colonels to submit their courtesy resignation in a radical move to cleanse the institution of those linked to illegal drugs.
An independent five-member committee will be handling the assessment and evaluation process. (PNA)
