DAVAO CITY — “This is a very radical move but we have to do this”, this was the statement of Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos as he ordered all full-pledged police generals and colonels of the Philippine National Police (PNP) including the chief PNP to tender a courtesy resignation for the agency to cleanse the ranks.
In a 55-minute press conference on Wednesday morning, Abalos emphasized that the country “Is fighting a war which inwolved huge money and influence.”
Abalos was sober when he revealed “Lumalabas na malaki ang problema dito sa kapulisan. Lumalabas na merong mga general, merong mga colonel na sangkot sa droga. At ayon sa rekomendasyon ng PNP at ng ilang kapulisan, ako ay nananawagan sa lahat ng full colonel, hanggang sa general, ako ay umaapela na mag-submit ng courtesy resignation.”
“Alam kong mabibigla kayo, pero this is the only way to make a fresh start,” he added.
Citing the recurring drugs problem, Abalos suspects that the PNP as organization has been infiltrated with drugs as money and influence come with the illegal drugs trade in the country.
“Itong war on drugs natin yong, yong sinasabing ninja cops na sinasabi ni Senator Bato dapat mawala,” Abalos emphasized during the press conference this morning “Matutulungan tayong lahat dito on the war on drugs.” .
The current officers need to submit their courtesy resignation and continue their work “Until accepted doon lang, it will go through a commitee of five will decide on that,” he emphasized.
ABalos said a committee will review the records of all these police officers, and that the courtesy resignation of those with proven links to illegal drug trade will be accepted.
The resignation will undergo a vetting process by the commitee of five, once the resignation is not accepted, it means the PNP officials is cleared.
“I would say yes hindi naman siguro lahat, he answered when asked is he believes the PNP organization is infiltrated and that some active and retired officers are into illegal drugs trade.
He admitted, being a former Mayor he sees the problem and how the tentacles of illegal drugs works in the communities “It is important that we work togetehr because I saw this problem when I was mayor and we need veryone’s help.”
While there are PNP personnel and officials who might be into drugs, Abalos, said, he really feel for those who are working hard and are sincere in their work who are facing cases “Kung minsan gawa-gawa lang ang mga kaso kasi nagtatranaho ang kapulisan natin, naawa ako sa kanila, they need to feel that we are behind them,Dapat nandito ang Secretary para sa iyo, tutulungan natin at lalabanan natin ito” he emphasized.
