PNP dismisses 754 cops for various offenses

MANILA, Philippines — At least 754 police officers have been dismissed from the service for various offenses since July 2017, the National Police Commission (Napolcom) said yesterday.

Napolcom vice chairman Rogelio Casurao said the highest police official they dismissed had the rank of a superintendent.

“Majority are police non-commissioned officers,” he said over dzMM.

Casurao said most of the cases against the police officers are extortion, physical injuries and violence against women and children. Some are also facing drug-related cases.

According to Casurao, around 60 administrative cases against policemen are filed before the Philippine National Police (PNP) at their central office every month.

The PNP’s National Capital Region office in Makati City, meanwhile, receives around 30 cases in a month.

“That is on top of those that are filed in our regional offices,” Casurao said.

He explained that in every organization, there will always be misfits but insisted these are only a few.

“In a family of five there could always be a black sheep, what more with an organization that is 190,000 strong,” he said.

Casurao expressed confidence the PNP can easily fill up the vacancies as more people are now interested to join the police force because of the high salary.

He directed his officers to immediately resolve cases lacking in evidence and only meant to harass police officers.

“That is also a way of assurance to the police that you will have the support if you are doing what is right,” Casurao said.