5-man panel on PNP ‘cleansing’ formed

DEPARTMENT of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos, has named the majority of the members of the 5-man “panel” formed to review the performance and possible links to illegal drugs of the country’s top police officials.

At a press briefing in Malacañan last February 1, 2023, Abalos said comprising the panel would be former PNP deputy director general and current Baguio City mayor, Benjamin Magalong, Chief PNP P/Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., former defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro and current Office of the Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs Undersecretary for Police Affairs Isagani Nerez. Abalos said the last member of the panel requested not to be identified for the present.

While the panel’s composition has been completed, there are still no guidelines for the process of screening police officers who have possible links to illegal drug trade.

It can be recalled that last January 4, 2023, Abalos “appealed” to all PNP officers with the rank of colonel and higher, to tender their ‘courtesy resignation’ as part of the government’s effort to “cleanse” the national police, particularly of those perceived or rumored to have links with the illegal drugs business.

According to Abalos, the panel would go through the records of the police officials “one by one.”

The names of the officers will then be passed on to the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) for another review.

Abalos said the DILG and PNP will come up with a list of guidelines later on for the approval of the panel members.

As the deadline for the submission of their resignation lapsed last January 31, Abalos also bared that only one, out of the PNP’s 955 full colonels and general declined to submit his resignation.

Abalos, however, explained that technically, only one did not comply as the 11 others who also did not submit their courtesy resignation have already retired.

The identity of the lone official was not disclosed.

“We fully respect his right. As I have told you before, we are not ordering or commanding anyone; it was just an appeal. I would like to reiterate, it’s an appeal,” Abalos said, also stressing that despite the lone official’s resistance, no punishment would be meted against him.