Duterte sacks alleged narco-generals Tinio, Pagdilao

President Rodrigo Duterte has dismissed from service two police officials he earlier  tagged as "narco-generals" in 2016.

On Monday, presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella disclosed that former National Capital Region Police Office chief Police Director Joel Pagdilao and former Quezon City Police District head Chief Superintendent Edgardo Tinio had been dismissed "in line with the President's promise to render the nation crime and corruption-free."

"A decision signed by the Executive Secretary last Thursday, has found Police Chief Superintendent Edgardo G. Tinio and Police Director Joel Pagdilao of the Philippine National Police administratively liable for serious neglect of duty and serious irregularity in the performance of duty, and have been duly dismissed," Abella said during Mindanao Hour.

"Evidence shows that both generals deliberately refused, without cause, to perform their duties as police officers resulting in the proliferation of the drug trade in their areas of jurisdiction. Thus, the President's decision," he added.

Pagdilao and Tinio are among the five alleged "narco-generals" named by Duterte for their supposed involvement in the illegal drug trade.

The National Police Commission in August 2016 found probable cause to file administrative charges against the Pagdilao and Tinio.

'God bless po'

GMA News Online tried to reach Pagdilao for his comment, but has yet to respond as of posting time.  

Meanwhile, in a short reply to GMA News Online, Tinio said: "God bless, po."

For his part, Philippine National Police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Dionardo Carlos said: "We will wait for the official dismissal order from the appointing authority (Malacañang). Hindi pa kami puwede mag-react habang wala pang official order." — with Joseph Tristan Roxas/RSJ, GMA News