The move came after the call of Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. for all full-fledged police colonels and generals in the country to submit a courtesy resignation amid the government’s fight against illegal drugs.
PRO 7 Chief Brigadier General Jerry Bearis led his men in signing the courtesy resignation letter.
Among those who resigned were the deputy regional director for administration, deputy regional director for operation and the regional chief and directorial staff.
Bearis said the simultaneous signing of the document shows they are united in supporting the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the PNP.
Bearis said they are the first police regional office in the country to announce their full support for the directive of Abalos to have all police colonels and generals in the PNP organization resign.
He assured the public that police operations in Central Visayas will not be affected since those who tender their courtesy resignation will continue doing their job until their resignation is accepted.
Magalong
Abalos said Friday that Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong was among the five individuals who would form part of the independent committee that would evaluate the integrity of third level police officers who will submit their courtesy resignation, and recommend the acceptance of their resignation based on their possible involvement in the illegal drug trade.
Abalos vouched for the integrity and credibility of Magalong, a retired official of the PNP who was once a director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
Magalong took part in the Senate investigation on ninja cops, or policemen involved in the recycling of illegal drugs seized in operations in 2019.
Innocent
In a statement, the “innocent PNP 3rd Level Officers” called for the resignation of PNP Chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr., who on Jan. 5 submitted his courtesy resignation.
The group said Azurin should do the “supreme sacrifice” as the scandal, which was the “root of Abalos’ call,” happened under his watch.
“In this way, we will be able to save the PNP from great embarrassment and have a fresh start and a new direction under the leadership of whoever our beloved President appoints. Please don’t let the innocent third level PNP officers be implicated in your negligence and failure in the management of the PNP,” the group said in Filipino.
Abalos said they learned about the possible involvement of some ranking police officials in the illegal drug trade following the arrest of Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr., a member of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group’s Special Operations Unit in the National Capital Region in Quiapo, Manila, on Oct. 9, 2022. / TPM, AYB / TPT