Magalong vows credible, transparent screening of PNP execs

MANILA, Philippines — Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has allayed concerns of senior Philippine National Police (PNP) officials regarding the screening process that will be conducted on those who were asked to submit their courtesy resignations.

Magalong, who will be part of the five-member screening committee, on Tuesday night confirmed that he has met with senior officers of the PNP at its headquarters in Camp Crame in Quezon City earlier that day.

“We had a very constructive and productive meeting. It was a two-hour meeting and they were able to share their anxieties, apprehensions, issues and concerns,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in a chance interview at an event at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

“I believe we were able to satisfy their queries. It was a Q&A (question and answer) and at the same time, they also manifested their sentiments. At the end of the day, everything was clear to everyone. What is important is that we were able to convince them that the members of the panel are well known for their integrity, objectivity, probity and transparency. Of course, credibility,” he added.

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos earlier confirmed that Magalong will be part of the screening committee, which will be tasked to vet the PNP officials who submitted their courtesy resignations.

Abalos requested over 900 full colonels and generals in the police force to submit their courtesy resignations as part of the government’s efforts against illegal drugs.

Magalong said the members of the screening committee, which is still being finalized, will be announced soon.

He said they expect the panel to immediately start its work once convened by Abalos.

He also confirmed that the guidelines for the process, including the specific role of the panel, are still being finalized.

Asked about the concerns raised by senior PNP officials during the dialogue, Magalong said there were “misinterpretations” due to mixed directives when the request for courtesy resignations was first announced.

Officials also appealed for a fair, objective and transparent screening process, while some raised concerns regarding possible delays regarding their retirement or promotion.

Magalong also stressed the need to formalize the “closure” of the screening process.

Nothing irregular

There is nothing irregular in the decision to retain in their posts some high-ranking police officials who are suspected to be involved in illegal drugs, officials said.

PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., in an interview over dzRH radio on Tuesday, said some of the senior police officials under probe have not been relieved from their posts.

Azurin earlier said there are less than 10 generals and colonels being investigated for their alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

Col. Jean Fajardo, spokesperson for the PNP, said yesterday there is nothing wrong if some of the police officials are holding positions within their organization.

“It is the PNP chief’s discretion whether they will be relieved or not from their current positions,” she said in a phone interview. – With Emmanuel Tupas

The presence of third-level officers with suspected drug links is what prompted Abalos to call for the courtesy resignation of all ranking police officials.

Fajardo said 936 senior police officials, 135 generals, 800 colonels and the inspector general of the Internal Affairs Service, have already tendered their resignations.

The figure represents 98.42 percent of the 951 police officers who are covered by Abalos’ appeal, Fajardo said.

She said the police officials suspected to be dipping their hands in illegal drugs will be relieved from their posts after the five-man committee that would be formed to assess and evaluate their records accepts their courtesy resignations.

Fajardo added they were informed beforehand that they will remain at their posts pending the results of the evaluation by the investigating panel.

Abalos earlier said that without strong evidence to prove their guilt, the police officials will be allowed to retire quietly from the service.

The Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) has also expressed its support for Abalos’ call for all third level police officers to submit their courtesy resignations.

As the premier police higher education institution in the country, the PNPA said it trusts the process that would cleanse the PNP from “those whose service reputation has been tainted by dubious connections, setting aside individual inhibitions and reservations all for the interest of the organization.”

The PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group is investigating its two personnel – S/Sgt. Raymund Portes and S/Sgt. Jerry Saratobias Jr. – who allegedly intervened during a drug bust in Manila that led to the arrest of S/Sgt. Ed Dyason Banaag.

Banaag, a member of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, was arrested in a sting that yielded 25 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu worth P170,000.

Fajardo said the two were asked to explain why they were there and why they intervened. – Emmanuel Tupas