Azurin: Advisory group eyes finishing review on PNP resignations in less than 3 months

The five-man advisory group is aiming to finish the review of the resignations of senior police officials in less than three months, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said Monday.

At a press briefing, Azurin, who is one of the members of the advisory group, said they are set to meet on Monday and start discussions on the guidelines for the screening of the resignations.

“Part of the discussion, we'll also be…how do we intend to finish the job in less than three months kasi dapat mabilis (because it should be fast),” he said.

“Yung mga data natin andyan naman for them to look and see para sa kanilang pag-evaluate individually sa mga third-level officers natin (The data is already available for them to look and see for their individual review on our third-level officers),” he added.

Azurin said he already prepared an initial draft of the guidelines for the screening of senior police officers. The five-man advisory group will give their comments and come up with the final draft.

He added the final draft should be finished within this week.

Azurin said high-ranking police officials whose resignations are accepted by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. could make an appeal to the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM).

On January 4, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos asked senior PNP officials to submit courtesy resignations as part of the government's efforts to rid the police force of officers involved in the illegal drug trade.

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.

The advisory group will review the resignations. The NAPOLCOM will again assess the police officers whose resignations are accepted by the committee. Then it will be forwarded for Marcos’ approval.

Aside from Azurin, other members of the advisory group are Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs’ Undersecretary Isagani Neres, former Defense chief Gilbert Teodoro Jr., and former Court of Appeals Associate Justice Melchor Quirino Sadang.—AOL, GMA Integrated News