1,155 lawmen facing summary dismissal proceedings - Lacson

GENERAL SANTOS CITY - At least 1,155 "inept, corrupt and undisciplined" policemen from all over the country are currently facing summary dismissal proceedings, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Panfilo Lacson said.

Lacson added that 966 other policemen are also being investigated for various offenses, particularly extortion.

In a radio interview here, Lacson said those facing dismissal include at least 24 ranking officers, the highest with a rank of superintendent.

Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reversed last October's ruling by the National Police Commission's Region 12 Appellate Board ordering the reinstatement of 22 Central Mindanao policemen who were dismissed for drug use.

The 22 policemen were found positive of using either marijuana or shabu during random drug tests conducted by the PNP-Region12's Crime Laboratory in November 1998.

The regional police command has jurisdiction over the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan and General Santos, and the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani.

The DILG order, signed by Interior and Local Government Secretary Alfredo Lim, upheld the dismissal order issued in April 1999 by Chief Superintendent Tiburcio Fusilero, the former Region 12 police director.

Napolcom's regional office had junked Fusilero's decision after the 22 policemen yielded negative during the confirmatory drug tests.

"These 22 policemen don't have a right to remain in the service and I don't care if only a handful of policemen will be left as long as they are all good and efficient," said Lacson in reaction to the DILG ruling. - With Ella Oducayen