273 NCRPO cops axed in 2023

MANILA, Philippines — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) dismissed from the service 273 police officers in 2023 for various violations.

An NCRPO report obtained by The STAR showed that 225 of the 273 police officers were dismissed for grave neglect of duty.

Twenty-six were dismissed for grave misconduct, eight for grave irregularities, five for serious irregularities, five for conduct unbecoming, two for grave dishonesty and two for gross and simple neglect of duty.

NCRPO spokesperson Lt. Col. Eunice Salas said the agency handled a total of 824 police officers facing administrative cases from January 2023 to January 2024.

Of the total figure, 587 cases were resolved while 237 remain pending.

“Other officers, who were accused and sentenced, were not dismissed. Some were suspended or demoted, while others had their pay forfeited,” Salas said in a text message to The STAR.

4 fail drug test

Meanwhile, Salas said that four out of 580 police officers tested positive during random drug testing.

She said 405 were from the Eastern Police District while 175 were from the NCRPO headquarters.

NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the agency is continuing its effort to cleanse the ranks of police officers.

“With or without the directive coming from the authority or the community, it is incumbent upon us to cleanse our ranks,” Nartatez said in a chance interview.

“So (cleansing) is a continuing effort and we will not stop. It’s a matter of winning the trust and confidence of the community. One effort is our cleansing of scalawags and misfits in uniform,” he added.