Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. on Wednesday urged all high-ranking police officials to tender courtesy resignation, citing it as a “very radical move” as part of the government’s unrelenting campaign against illegal drugs.
“This is a very radical move but we have to do this,” Abalos said, as he hinted that the Philippine National Police, as an organization, may already been penetrated by the influence of the illegal drugs trade.
“Ako ay nananawagan sa lahat ng full [fledged] colonel hanggang heneral na mag-submit ng courtesy resignation (I am appealing to them to tender their courtesy resignation),” he said, expressing concern of the recurring illegal drugs problem, and adding that this will be an expeditious way for the organization to “cleanse the ranks.”
“Itong war on drugs natin, ‘yung sinasabing ninja cops na sinasabi ni Senator Bato. dapat mawala (In our ensuing war on drugs, those regarded as ninja cops by Senator Bato [Dela Rosa] will have to be eliminated),” Abalos said.
“Magtutulungan tayong lahat dito on the war on drugs, (We have to help each other on our war on drugs,” he added.
Under the DILG chief’s proposal, the current officers would need to submit their courtesy resignation in order to continue performing their duties.
Then, he said, it would be up to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. whether or not he would approve of the resignation.
“Until accepted doon lang, it will go through a committee of five [that] will decide on that,” he said, explaining that there would be a committee to check on the PNP officers. He added that the committee will determine whether a police officer is involved in the illegal drug trade.
He, however, praised the PNP for apprehending around P10 billion worth of illegal drugs under the Marcos administration. (PIA-NCR)
