PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo E. Eleazar yesterday assured that the digitization of the records of policemen dismissed for grave offenses specifically drugs since July 2016 will prevent them making any move that will allow them reentry into the force in the future.

The top cop earlier ordered the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM) headed by Major Gen. Rolando J. Hinanay to create a database of all personnel who were removed from the police service with the strict instructions that all motions for reconsideration filed by these dismissed police personnel be immediately resolved.

In the past, policemen fired from the force for grave misconduct including direct or indirect involvement in illegal drug activities and robbery-extortion managed to seek a favorable ruling from the National Police Commission (Napolcom) and other appellate bodies that allowed them to return to the force and even get their back pay.

In most cases, these policemen took advantage of yet to be digitized records with missing documents in their folders and claimed they were not given ‘due process’ and merely waited for the retirement of PNP chiefs or Police Regional Directors who signed their dismissal papers before applying for reinstatement. There were also many cases in which sacked rogues in uniform managed to afford being jobless for some years since they have amassed ill-gotten wealth when they were still in the active service and engaged in real corrupt activities.

The 26th PNP chief’s instruction has been seen as bad news for rogues in police uniform who have been dismissed from the service since the start of the Duterte administration since it will prevent the reinstatement of rogue policemen in the police organization.

“Inatasan ko na ang Director, DPRM, na gumawa ng database ng lahat ng mga na-dismiss na pulis at agarang iresolba ang kanilang mga Motions for Reconsideration (MR) upang maagap nating maharang ang anumang pagtatangka nilang makabalik sa serbisyo,” Gen. Eleazar told the Journal Group.

“Makikipag-ugnayan tayo sa National Police Commission (Napolcom) para mapadali ang resolusyon ng mga appealed administrative cases at tuluyan nang matanggal sa serbisyo ang mga napatunayang tiwali at abusado,” he added.

Many Filipinos welcomed the move of the PNP chief who is known for his Intensified Cleanliness Program. In particular, private citizens who have been victimized by misfits and scalawags in the police force thanked Gen. Eleazar for his move saying they fear that these sacked officers may torment them again once they are given the opportunity to return to the force, wear their badges and uniforms and get their PNP-issued guns again.

Official PNP records showed that from July 2016 to last August 18, a total of 5,240 police officers have been dismissed from the police force. Another 11,030 were demoted while 9,478 were suspended for various grave offenses.

Of the 5,2540 policemen who were dismissed during the period, 671 were axed for their involvement in drug-related offenses. Out of the 671, 22 are Police Commissioned Officers; 634 are Police Non-Commissioned Officers while 15 are Non-Uniformed Personnel.

Of the total number, 487 were fired from the PNP after testing positive for substance abuse while 156 were dismissed during the period July 2016 to last May 7.

Since Gen. Eleazar became the country’s top cop, 12 police personnel have been dismissed after testing positive for use of either shabu or marijuana while 16 were fired for involvement in illegal drug-related cases.

They include policemen who were fired from the PNP for their involvement in so-called ‘hulidap/bangketa’ operations or those who were arrested for their actual involvement in illegal drug trafficking.

According to Gen. Eleazar, the PNP as an organization must be vigilant against these erring individuals who could try to seek reinstatement in the police service.

The top cop also tasked the PNP Legal Service headed by Brigadier Gen. George L. Almaden to review administrative rules and regulations to further strengthen measures that would prevent dismissed cops from rejoining the service.

“Inatasan ko na din ang ating Legal Service na pag-aralan kung ano ang maaaring baguhin o idagdag sa aming rules and regulations para tuluyang isara ang pintuan sa pagbabalik sa serbisyo ng mga natanggal na bugok na pulis, lalo na ang mga sangkot sa paggamit ng iligal na droga,” he said.

Since he took office as PNP chief, PGen Eleazar has been vocal about his campaign against police scalawags, as part of his Intensified Cleanliness Policy, which includes cleansing the police ranks.

Records furnished to the Journal Group showed that from July 2016 to last August 18, the PNP’s no-nonsense internal cleansing drive also caused the giving of reprimands to 2,216 police personnel while 151 were placed under restrictions. Another 259 police personnel who were also investigated during the period had their privileges withheld.

Since Gen. Eleazar took over as PNP chief last May 8, he has already approved the dismissal of 163 rogues in PNP uniform; demoted 45 and suspended 439 others. Under Eleazar, the PNP also ordered the forfeiture of salaries of 38 PNP personnel and reprimanded nine.