97% of PNP generals, full colonels submitted courtesy resignations —Azurin

A total of 929 police full colonels and generals have already submitted their courtesy resignations following the appeal of Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said Monday.

"I am pleased to announce that the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM) has received the courtesy resignation letters of 929 Police Colonels and Star-rank PNP officers," Azurin said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.

"This number represents 97.48% of all 953 3rd-level police officials expected to heed the call."

Abalos earlier called on high-ranking PNP officials to file courtesy resignations in order to rid the police force of officers who are involved in illegal drugs.

A five-man committee, including Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, will screen the resignations.

Azurin said the PNP demands that the committee members would be "objective, fair and circumspect" in their undertakings during the screening.

"We are expecting that they will maintain their impeccable character and integrity so that the result of all their evaluation will be acceptable to everyone," he said.

"Similarly, we appeal that the process will be devoid of personal and political biases."

The National Police Commission will review the police officers whose resignations are accepted, Abalos earlier said.

24 officials yet to resign

Meanwhile, Abalos said around 24 police officials have yet to submit their courtesy resignations, according to a report on “24 Oras."

Of the figure, Azurin said two of the said officials are generals while five are colonels. They are scheduled to retire during the first quarter of the year.

The PNP chief said the high-ranking cops expressed worry the five-man panel to review the resignations may commit an error in their evaluation.

Abalos said the DILG will name the four other members of the review committee after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. returns from Davos, Switzerland.

The evaluation will last for three months, he added.—With Sundy Locus/KBK, GMA Integrated News