THE decision to make public the names of 3rd-Level Philippine National Police officers absolved or recommended for expulsion by the 5-Man Committee for their drug links will rest on the decision of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr., new PNP chief, General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. on Tuesday said.

“With regard to the names, I leave that to the President,” the member of Philippine Military Academy ‘Sambisig’ Class of 1991 told the media in his first press conference at Camp Crame.

Once the President accept the courtesy resignation of some concerned 3rd-Level police officers, they will lose all their retirement pay and benefits except for their CAL or Commutation of Accrued Leave which is the conversion of unused leave credits to their corresponding money value.

Gen. Acorda said the process of evaluating the police generals and colonels who tendered their courtesy resignation to President Marcos Jr. last January has already been completed by the 5-Man Committee and the recommendation submitted to the National Police Commission for final review.

PNP spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo said as announced previously by Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ C. Abalos Jr., a total of 917 3rd-Level Officers out of the 953 who submitted their courtesy resignations last January to the Commander-in-Chief have already been ‘cleared’ by the 5-Man Advisory Group.

“The 5-Man Committee completed its job and forwarded its report to SILG. The Napolcom will then review the recommendations and they have the authority to revise whatever will be the findings,” Fajardo said.

The official said that as mentioned by Gen. Acorda, it will be the prerogative of President Marcos to whether accept or deny the final report from the Napolcom.

“The remaining 36 will undergo further evaluation by the Napolcom. However, the President has the authority and discretion kung tatanggapin ang courtesy resignations or not ng mga opisyal na ito,” she said.

Fajardo said she doesn’t have details regarding the 36 particularly on how many of them are star-rank officers or full-fledged colonels.

“Yung namention po na 917, these are the names na recommended na hindi tatangapin based on the assessment and evaluation of the 5-Man Advisory Group. Wala pong nakita na me record sila. I understand na yung 917, hindi po tatanggapin ang resignations,” the official said.

Col. Fajardo said all 953 3rd-Level Officers underwent a thorough review and evaluation by the 5-Man council although the Napolcom has the authority to revise or follow the body’s recommendations. Ang final report po eh manggagaling sa Napolcom,” she said.

“As the Chief,PNP had said, let’s be careful in naming names unless we have evidence. However, once the President accepts their resignation letters, they will be removed from the service,” the PNP spokesperson said.

On Monday, former PNP chief, now retired Gen. Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. thanked four other members of the 5-Man Committee namely Baguio City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, former Defense Secretary Gilbert C. Teodoro; Office of the Presidential adviser on Military and Police Affairs, Undersecretary Isagani R. Nerez and retired Court of Appeals Association Justice Melchor Q. Sadang for their contribution in resolving the issues that affected the police force.

“Following Sec. Abalos’ appeal, “as part of a 5-Man Advisory Group, we worked together with impartiality to conclude the proceedings efficiently,” he said.