PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. (PNA photo by Lloyd Caliwan)
MANILA – A total of 985 police officers have been dismissed from the service due to administrative cases since the start of the Marcos administration, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday.
Speaking to reporters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said the number is out of a total of 3,932 erring police officers who were meted out disciplinary sanctions for administrative offenses and involvement in irregularities as a result of an intensified internal cleansing program from July 1, 2022 to Jan. 3 this year.
Of the 985 who were dismissed, 65 were positive for using illegal drugs while 43 were involved in illegal drugs.
“With regards to the percentage, it’s 0.25 percent of the overall police force. Cops dismissed from the service are not entitled to benefits,” Acorda added.
The penalties range from withholding of privileges to dismissal from the service.
The figure includes 230 who were demoted in rank (10 involved in illegal drugs); 1,701 suspended (60 involved in illegal drugs); 694 who were reprimanded (3 were involved in illegal drugs); 134 who were meted out salary forfeiture; 79 restricted to quarters; and 109 who were denied privileges.
Acorda said they would continue to pursue an "aggressive and honest" campaign against illegal drugs, which President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. lauded.
"Having been recognized for such an effort, it’s also an honor on our part na (that) despite this less bloody impression, we were able to get this result and I urge our police force to continue such operations and we make it sure that respect for human rights is always upheld,” Acorda told reporters.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government, meanwhile, said it has made significant progress in its commitment to strengthen Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (ADACs) and attaining its commitments under the Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy.
This includes continuous monitoring of the Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program (CBDRP), establishment of Special Drug Education Centers and Programs, and capacitating and tracking local governments' anti-illegal drugs commitments, according to a news release by the Presidential Communications Office.
Citing the CBDRP's quarterly report, the agency said a total of 17,128 individuals were taken under custody based on the submission of eight regions as of Dec. 12, 2023.
It also recorded 10,169 new participants and re-admitted 579 individuals.
A total of 17,561 have graduated from the rehabilitation program, it added.
Among the DILG’s programs to combat the illegal drug problem include the BIDA (Buhay Ingatan, Droga'y Ayawan) program, conduct of the 2022 ADAC Performance Audit, Barangay Drug Clearing Program, drug-free workplace policy, training of trainers, roll-out orientation on the BIDA Program and ADAC performance audit policy and BDCP policy. (PNA)
