Panel begins screening PNP officials’ records next week

MANILA, Philippines — The five-man advisory panel tasked to rid the Philippine National Police (PNP) of scalawags involved in illegal drugs will start poring over the records of top officials next week.?

Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., PNP chief, told reporters in an ambush interview yesterday that he and other members of the panel are finalizing the guidelines for their review and evaluation of third-level PNP officers who have tendered their courtesy resignations.

As they are going to be busy with the review, he said they designated Col. Redrico Maranan, PNP Public Information Office chief, as their spokesman to regularly brief journalists on the progress of their work.

A total of 943 PNP generals and colonels submitted their courtesy resignations in response to the call of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos as part of the process to weed out bad eggs in the police organization.

Other members of the panel are Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, former defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro, former police general Isagani Nerez and former Court of Appeals Associate Justice Melchor Sadang.

The PNP chief said he already talked with Teodoro, who was not present during the group’s first meeting last Monday.

Despite the tight schedule, he is confident the panel will finish the evaluation of all the police officers before he retires from the service on April 24.

As to whether they will look into the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth of the PNP officials, Azurin said the panel discussed it, but seems not inclined to do so.

He said the scope of their review covers police officials linked to illegal drugs so they are cautious not to overstep their assigned task.