217 more resigned cops evaluated by five-man panel

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 217 ranking police officers who submitted their courtesy resignations were evaluated by the five-man advisory panel on Wednesday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

The figure brought to 335 the number of senior police officials whose records have been assessed by the panel headed by PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr.

The panel will evaluate the remaining 608 police generals and colonels who submitted their resignation letters.

“The remaining more than 600 are set to be evaluated in the coming weeks either in person or through video conferencing,” Col. Redrico Maranan, the PNP’s public information officer and spokesperson for the panel, said.

Apart from Azurin, the four 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 panel members decided to hold meetings every Wednesday and Thursday to fast-track their task of reviewing the records of the police officials.

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos called for the resignation of all third level police officers amid reports that some of them are involved in the illegal drug trade.

Police officials found to have derogatory information against them would be subjected to another review by the National Police Commission (Napolcom).

“Assessment must be done expeditiously, always taking into consideration the objectivity, fairness and due diligence in the conduct of the proceedings,” Maranan said.