The Philippine National Police said Tuesday the five-man advisory group has recommended 36 senior police officials for further evaluation by the National Police Commission (Napolcom).
PNP spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo told a news conference the advisory group cleared the remaining 917 senior police officials, who also submitted their courtesy resignations, from any involvement in illegal drugs.
“For the remaining 36, they will undergo further evaluation by the Napolcom,” Fajardo said.
“And eventually, once the findings are submitted to the President, it will be the authority and discretion of the President whose resignations will be accepted,” she added.
Meanwhile, PNP chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr., who assumed his post this week, said there was still no plan to implement a revamp in the police force.
Acorda said all movements in the organization would be based on policies, guidelines, merit, ability, capability, and moral ascendancy.
He also said the shuffling in the ranks has been discussed during his first command conference.
“This SOPB (Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board) will be empowered to make sure no policies are violated and also the candidates are scrutinized,” he added.
Fajardo said Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. announced that 917 of the 953 senior police officials who submitted courtesy resignations were already cleared.
She said the release of the names of the cleared third-level police officers will depend on the decision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
On January 4, Abalos appealed to senior PNP officials to submit their courtesy resignations as part of the government’s efforts to rid the police force of officers involved in the illegal drug trade or so-called “ninja cops.”
Abalos said this was “the only way to make a fresh start” in the PNP, as he expressed concern over the involvement of some high ranking police officers in the illegal drug trade.
On April 20, the five-man advisory group completed the review on the courtesy resignations of 953 senior police officers of the PNP.
The final report of the five-member body was endorsed to Napolcom chairperson Abalos for final review. Then the final report will be presented to Marcos for approval.