(File photo)
MANILA – Third-level officials who are holding key positions in the Philippine National Police (PNP) would be the first to undergo vetting by the five-member advisory body that would look into their courtesy resignations and possible involvement in illegal drugs.
Speaking to reporters in Camp Crame on Wednesday, PNP Public Information Office chief Col. Redrico Maranan said the committee would meet this week to finalize the guidelines that would be used in the assessment and evaluation process.
“Ang napagkasunduan nung huling meeting uunahin yung mga nasa key positions na mga third level officers sa kadahilanan nakatalaga sila doon sa mahahalagang posisyon na kinakailangan para mas maayos na mapatakbo ang PNP (What was agreed upon in the last meeting was that those in key positions who are third level officers will be given priority because they are assigned to important positions that are necessary for the PNP to run more smoothly),” said Maranan, who was also designated as the advisory body's spokesperson.
Key positions in the police force include the top brass -- the PNP chief, the deputy chief for administration, deputy chief for operations and chief of the directorial staff -- and those heading the PNP's directorates and regional commands.
PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. earlier submitted his courtesy resignation but this was not accepted by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
The advisory body is composed of Azurin, retired police general and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs Undersecretary Isagani Nerez, former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and retired Court of Appeals Justice Melchor Sadang
Maranan, meanwhile, the screening would be finished within the three-month timeline.
“Sapagkat ready naman lahat ng mga documents na kailangan. Ready na yung mga guidelines at yung mga guidelines na binuo naman natin ay yun ang magpapabilis doon sa pag-assess sa mga third level officers so hindi within the timeline pa rin yung ating pag-assess sa ating mga third level officers (All the necessary documents are ready. The guidelines are ready and the guidelines that we have developed will speed up the assessment of third level officers, so our assessment of our third level officers is still within the timeline),” Maranan said.
Of the 956 third-level officers in the PNP who are covered by the courtesy resignation, only one of them did not comply.
Based on the agreement, officials whose resignations would be accepted would be forced to retire, regardless of how long they are supposed to still stay in the PNP.
The mandatory retirement age of uniformed personnel of the PNP is 56 and those who were asked to resign include generals and police colonels who still have at least eight years in the service.
In the next three months, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said the committee will conduct an investigation on the police officials and will submit the names of those whose resignations are accepted to the National Police Commission (Napolcom) for another round of verification before submitting their recommendation to the President.
The move aims to cleanse the ranks of officers in the police organization from infiltration of illegal drug syndicates. (PNA)
