5-man advisory group wraps up work
THE 5-Man Advisory Group created by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. (PBBM) last January to screen 3rd-Level Philippine National Police (PNP) officers and caused the expulsion of those with “drug links” has completed its job on Thursday, PNP chief, General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. said Friday.
According to the outgoing PNP chief, they are set to submit their recommendation to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos Jr. for final review and presentation to the Chief Executive.
The advisory group looked into the records and documents of the senior officers of the PNP and screened a total of 953 senior officials who submitted individual letters of resignation in support of the “massive internal cleansing program” initiated by the DILG-PNP leadership.
The advisory body convened for the 8th time on Thursday, April 20th, since it was constituted to determine the fitness of all the senior officials to continue serving the PNP, according to their spokesperson, PNP Public Information Office (PIO) chief, Col. Redrico A. Maranan.
The official said the man member body has wrapped-up work and drafted its report containing findings and recommendations. Reports said a total of 917 officials have already been cleared by the body.
The final report of the 5-member body will be formally endorsed to the DILG chief and concurrent National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) chairman (Abalos) for final review and subsequent presentation to President Marcos Jr. for approval.
Azurin expressed gratitude to his co-members of the 5-man Advisory Group and the support staff for the successful culmination of the evaluation and screening process of all 953 3rd-Level PCOs (Police Commissioned Officers).
“This report is the result of painstaking hard work that speaks well of the objectivity, fairness, and integrity of the entire process. The whole exercise is founded on [the] common aspiration of an effective and trustworthy police organization that deserves the trust and respect of the people,” the PNP chief said.
Apart from Azurin, other members of the body were retired police general and now Baguio City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong; retired Gen. Isagani R. Nerez, an Undersecretary at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Military and Police Affairs; former Defense chief Gilbert C. Teodoro; and retired Court of Appeals Associate Justice Melchor Q. Sadang.
All five are known for their “unquestionable integrity, credibility, and untainted reputation,” said Abalos.
Azurin is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Matapat” Class of 1989. Magalong belongs to PMA “Sandigan” Class of 1982, while Nerez is a member of PMA “Maharlika” Class of 1984.
