Ouster of 935 erring cops a proof rogues have no place in PNP–Acorda
PHILIPPINE National Police chief General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. said the dismissal of 935 erring policemen since January 1, 2022 is proof that rogue men in uniform have no place in the PNP.
“The PNP is strengthening its Internal Disciplinary Mechanism and intensifies efforts in reiterating the Doctrine of Command Responsibility and Police Operational Procedures to every member on the ground,” he said.
“We are bringing across our message to the people that the PNP leadership strongly condemns any wrongdoing of its few misguided members,” he added.
PNP Public Information Office chief Colonel Jean S. Fajardo said that the PNP really has made significant strides in upholding discipline and accountability within its ranks with the resolution of 4,082 cases involving its personnel from January 2022 to August 30, 2023.
The official said that apart from the 935 dismissed policemen, the resolved cases saw 242 being demoted; 1,850 being suspended; 159 having their salary forfeited; 688 being reprimanded; 110 getting restrictions; and 106 others having their privileges withheld.
The resolutions were made following lengthy deliberations made by summary hearing boards created by different PNP regional offices and national operational and administrative support units to investigate the administrative cases filed against the misbehaving policemen.
Those fired from the service were guilty of different offenses, including serious irregularities in the performance of duty, grave misconduct and AWOL (Absence Without Official Leave).
Grave misconduct covers cases such as illegal use of drugs, robbery-extortion and serious irregularities.
This significant step underscores the PNP’s unwavering vow to ensure that its personnel adhere to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, said Col. Fajardo.
She added that it also leaves a powerful note that those who engage in unlawful activities and misdemeanors will face the appropriate consequences, including dismissal from the service when necessary.
Col. Fajardo maintained that the PNP remains steadfast in maintaining the trust and confidence of the Filipinos.
Gen. Acorda earlier reiterated that policemen found positive for any illegal drugs have no place in the force, and they will face summary dismissal proceedings once they test positive for any illegal substance.
The top cop added that surprise drug tests among the 228,000-strong organization will continue to ferret out who among PNP members are using illegal drugs.
He also said that drug-using policemen will face dismissal and all their benefits will be forfeited and will be barred from holding any public office in the future.
PNP Forensic Group director Brigadier Gen. Constancio Chinayog Jr. had revealed that 24 of the 115,983 police personnel who underwent drug tests this year have tested positive for substance abuse.
He, however, said that percentage wise, they are just .02 percent of the total police force.
During the Duterte administration, nearly 500 policemen have been tested positive for illegal drug use since 2016.
It was the year when Duterte ordered a full scale war on drugs and went all-out in going after rogues in uniform, specifically the so-called ‘Ninja Cops.’
In 2020, records showed that 46 policemen out of the 173,133 PNP personnel subjected to drug testing were found positive for substance abuse.
In 2019, a total of 36 out of the 80,278 policemen tested for drugs were found to be positive for shabu.
In 2018, a total of 68 policemen out of the 92,598 PNP personnel subjected to random or mandatory drug testing were found positive for substance abuse.
In 2017, a total of 82 policemen out of the 16,297 personnel tested were found to be positive drug users, while in 2016, a total of 206 out of the 164,981 policemen subjected to a drug test were found positive for prohibited substances.
Last month, National Capital Region Police Office director Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said that random drug testing in the metropolitan police force will continue amid their effort to cleanse their ranks of misbehaving personnel.
It turned out that the NCRPO last August 28 conducted another drug test on all 497 members of the Mandaluyong City police although none of them tested positive for illegal substances.
Former Mandaluyong City Police Station chief Colonel Cesar Gerente was relieved from his post, stripped of his service firearm and is now facing criminal and administrative charges after he tested positive for drugs in initial screening and confirmatory tests.
