After deliberating for four days, the National Police Commission (Napolcom), which oversees the PNP, upheld yesterday its resolution issued last week ordering the relief of the seven police officials.
Prior to the resolution, the commission earlier issued a directive warning that police officials who have been unable to rein in jueteng in their localities would be relieved.
Last Saturday, Deputy Director General Edgar Aglipay, Director Avelino Razon and Chief Superintendents Reynaldo Berroya, Domingo Reyes and Nicolas Pasinos Jr. and Senior Superintendents Leonilo de la Cruz and Jose Antonio Salvacion submitted their individual appeals.
However, the commission unanimously rejected their motions. "All the foregoing considered, the prayer that the directive for the relief of the seven movants be set aside is denied," the Napolcom said in its decision.
Interior Secretary Jose Lina Jr., who heads the commission, said the seven were sacked because they failed to follow the Napolcom directive to the letter. "The strict implementation of the law without fear or favor is the primary duty of the police," he said.
However, the Napolcom also decided to discontinue its investigation on the seven officials’ liability, saving them from possible administrative or criminal charges.
The commission took into consideration the performance of the seven officials and their diligence in performing their duty.
"Considering, however, that these officers have exhibited not only humility but also honesty in their motions filed with this office, the commission decided to treat these motions as their answer to the pre-charge investigation and this disquisition the outcome of the same," the Napolcom decision said.
The relief of the seven officials will not become final unless approved by the Commission on Elections. Any movement of government personnel during an election period is prohibited by law unless cleared by the Comelec.
To get Comelec approval, the Napolcom has to provide the Comelec information on the seven sacked officials’ new assignments as well as their replacements.
However, a rift among members of the PNP senior officers placement and promotions board, a panel that screens the promotions of top police officials to key positions in the nation’s police force, has hampered the transfer of the seven sacked officials – some of them reportedly to juicy positions.
The board is split with seven of its members – allied with PNP chief Deputy Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. – opposing the appointment of the sacked policemen, and the remaining six members who are associated with outgoing PNP chief Director General Leandro Mendoza.
Ebdane takes over the force today from Mendoza, who will head the Department of Transportation and Communications.
The board members associated with Ebdane said the revamp proposed by the other board members would limit the new PNP chief from exercising "his management prerogative in the selection of senior police officers to occupy key positions in the PNP."
Camp Crame sources said the change of command and the sacking of the seven top police officials has set off a scramble for positions by ranking police officials divided into two factions, one identified with Ebdane and the other with Mendoza.
These officials were "moving heaven and earth for their appointment" – or seeking support from politicians and other backers – said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity. – With Jaime Laude, Non Alquitran