Panel recommends admin charges vs. 4 senior PNP officials over alleged drug links

The five-man advisory group has recommended that the courtesy resignations of four ranking police officials be accepted over their alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade, Super Radyo dzBB's Mark Makalalad reported on Wednesday.

Quoting former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr., who heads the advisory group, the report said administrative charges were also recommended to be filed against the four yet-to-be-identified officials.

The four — two police generals and two police colonels — were among the 36 senior police officials earlier suspected to be involved in the illegal drug trade, the report said.

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos on January 4 appealed to senior PNP officials to submit their courtesy resignations as part of the government's efforts to rid the police force of officers with links to narcotics syndicates.

The five-man advisory group was formed to review the resignations and make recommendations.

The dzBB report quoted Azurin as saying that he would leave the decision on whether to identify the four ranking PNP officials to the National Police Commission (Napolcom).

Azurin also reportedly said that he is hoping that current PNP chief, Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr., will sustain their recommendation.

In an interview with reporters, Abalos, who chairs Napolcom, said they will make an announcement in two days because they are still working on some legalities.

“We are going to make a statement about this, okay? Just give us about, probably, two days so that all legalities ma-cover namin dito [we can cover all legalities here],” he said.

“We just want that when we make a statement talagang airtight ang lahat na ito [it’s already airtight],” he added.

Asked if they will name the implicated police officials, Abalos said they will “announce everything.” —with Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News