PNP to implement resignations of 18 officers allegedly linked to drugs –Acorda

The Philippine National Police will implement the resignations of 18 senior officers allegedly linked to illegal drugs after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. accepted the resignations.

“They are deemed resigned," PNP Chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. told reporters.

According to Mark Makalalad's Super Radyo dzBB report, Acorda said the PNP had received the documents signed by Marcos for the implementation of the resignations.

While the PNP still needed to check if the now former third-level officers would still receive benefits, Acorda said that this was possible given the manner they left the service.

Acorda added that due to the 18 new vacancies, there would be movements in the positions in the police organization.

On July 25, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Marcos had accepted the courtesy resignations of 18 high-ranking officers of the PNP allegedly involved in illegal drugs.

In a statement, the PCO identified these senior police officers:
1. Police Brigadier General Remus Balingasa Medina
2. Police Brigadier General Randy Quines Peralta
3. Police Brigadier General Pablo Gacayan Labra II
4. Police Colonel Rogarth Bulalacao Campo
5. Police Colonel Rommel Javier Ochave
6. Police Colonel Rommel Allaga Velasco
7. Police Colonel Robin King Sarmiento
8. Police Colonel Fernando Reyes Ortega
9. Police Colonel Rex Ordoño Derilo
10. Police Colonel Julian Tesorero Olonan
11. Police Colonel Rolando Tapon Portera
12. Police Colonel Lawrence Bonifacio Cajipe
13. Police Colonel Dario Milagrosa Menor
14. Police Colonel Joel Kagayed Tampis
15. Police Colonel Michael Arcillas David
16. Police Colonel Igmedio Belonio Bernaldez
17. Police Colonel Rodolfo Calope Albotra Jr.
18. Police Colonel Marvin Barba Sanchez

''Life is unfair. God bless us,'' Olonan told GMA News Online when asked to comment on the development.

GMA News Online reached out to the other concerned police officers and the PNP Public Information Office for their side regarding Marcos' decision. GMA News Online also sought the officers' reaction to the implementation of their resignations. 

They have yet to provide a statement as of posting time.

In January, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos asked PNP generals and full colonels to submit their courtesy resignations as part of the government’s effort to rid the PNP of officers involved in the drug trade.

A five-man advisory group was formed and reviewed the resignations of the PNP's high-ranking officers. Their assessment was submitted to the National Police Commission (Napolcom) for another review.

In May, the Napolcom recommended the acceptance of several courtesy resignations as well as the initial filing of cases against four officers.

According to Abalos, 32 senior officers were recommended for further investigation.

After the extended probe was completed, Abalos said the total number of high-ranking officers whose resignations were recommended for acceptance grew to 18.

Abalos said the PNP reviewed these names and submitted the recommendations to the President. — DVM, GMA Integrated News