A LAWMAKER from Mindanao on Thursday expressed support to Interior and Local Government Sec. Benhur Abalos’ call for all top-ranked police officers to submit their courtesy resignations as part of the government campaign to cleanse their ranks of the “deep infection” of the illegal drug trade.

“As chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, I am in full support of DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) Secretary Abalos’ call to ‘cleanse’ the ranks of senior police officers who may have been ‘infected’ or involved in the illegal drug trade,” Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers said.

The DILG chief said the police officers asked to tender their courtesy resignations with the ranks of colonel to generals will be evaluated by a five-member committee whose composition will be announced soon.

Barbers said although there is still no concrete evidence that directly links senior police officers to the drug trade, it is widely rumored or said to be an “open secret” about the involvement in drugs of certain law enforcement officers in the active service.

“Hindi natin nilalahat at alam natin na kaunti lang na police officers and maaaring pasok sa illegal drug trade. At sa tingin ko, tama lang ang hakbang na tinatahak ni DILG Secretary Abalos upang linisin ang hanay ng ating kapulisan laban sa illegal na droga,” he added.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ryan Ponce Pacpaco