PNP seeks Palace clarification on resignation of 18 officials

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is unsure whether it should remove from posts or from the organization 18 police officials whose courtesy resignations over alleged drug ties were recently accepted by President Marcos.

The PNP will request a meeting with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on the issue, according to PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr.

“I am hoping that this would be scheduled the soonest because we want a closure on this,” Acorda said at a press briefing at Camp Crame on Wednesday.

The 18 high-ranking PNP officers resigned pending the National Police Commission (Napolcom)’s investigation into the suspected illegal drug trade involvement of 953 law enforcers.

Acorda said he requested an official copy of Marcos’ directive “to know how it is worded.”

The STAR sought comments from three of the 18 PNP officials, but they did not respond.

Among the 18 PNP officials who resigned, three are generals while the rest are colonels.

Police Regional Office-Region 8’s regional staff chief PCol. Michael Arcillas David is included in the 18 PNP officials who have resigned.

During David’s time as director of the Tacloban City Police Office, several unverified reports claimed he was a protector of the illegal drug trade in the city and neighboring towns.

David had denied the allegations.

PRO-8 regional director P/Brig. Gen. Vincent Calanoga refused to comment on David’s resignation as he has yet to receive an official notice from Napolcom.

Acorda has reportedly ordered reassigning the 18 PNP officials to the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit at Camp Crame.

Charge them

Former senator Richard Gordon on Wednesday urged the PNP to file criminal charges against the 18 police officials who resigned.

“It is not enough to make the policemen resign. I am sure they will file cases against them. I hope they do because you can only stop corruption if you will start seeing people locked up in jail,” Gordon told The STAR.

Senators also said the 18 PNP officials should be criminally charged.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said their resignation is “not enough.”

“Follow the evidence. If good enough for criminal conviction then they should file the cases,” said Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III.

“The PNP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government should not stop in gathering evidence to meet the burden of criminal prosecution so that those involved would be made accountable,” said Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr.

“If indeed they have drug links, they should be charged both administratively and criminally,” said Sen. Francis Escudero.

“(They) should and must be charged,” said Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.

“Firing erring officials is not enough. They should be charged accordingly for the crime they have committed. What message will it convey if the government will just let them go unpunished?” said Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito. – Miriam Desacada, Bella Cariaso, Cecille Suerte Felipe