PNPA officials submit courtesy resignations
TOP officials of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) have tendered their courtesy resignations to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. to show their full support for the government’s effort to “cleanse” the police force of officers linked to illegal drug activities.
The 3rd-level officers from the PNPA headed by Major General Eric E. Noble have submitted their resignation letters in which they will “open” themselves to any investigation, including the scrutiny of the “5-Man Committee,” as of Tuesday.
Noble is the only Philippine Military Academy (PMA) graduate from PMA Class 1992 in the PNPA. The rest are all products of the police academy.
In a statement, the PNPA leadership said it fully supports the call of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos Jr. and PNP chief General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. for all police full-fledged colonels and star- rank officers to submit their courtesy resignation and acquiesce to the independent five-man committee to be created in vetting the integrity of those who are holding key positions in the organization.
“As the premier police higher education institution in the country, and being the primary source of future leaders, PNPA wholly assents to the wisdom of the Secretary and the Chief of the Philippine National Police, Gen. Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. to trust the process that would once and for all cleanse the hierarchy from those whose service reputation has been tainted by dubious connections, setting aside individual inhibitions and reservations all for the interest of the organization,” the PNPA statement said.
“Rest assured that the Third-Level PCOs together with the junior officers, Police Non-Commissioned Officers, Non-Uniformed Personnel and Cadets of the Philippine National Police Academy shall never falter on our noble ends anchored in the core values of Justice, Integrity and Service,” it added.
As of Tuesday, only 18 3rd-level officers of the PNP (Philippine National Police) have yet to submit their courtesy resignations, said PNP spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo.
The official said that out of the 18, at least eight will be retiring in the next few days or weeks, and this could be the reason why they are yet to tender their courtesy resignations.
The PNP spokesperson did not say how many of the 18 are star-rank officers or generals but added that their Directorate for Personnel and Records Management is already collating the resignation letters of the 935 3rd-level officers or 935 out of the 953 senior PNP officials.
Part of the resignation letter prepared by the PNP showed that the 3rd-level officers will be signing the following: “Thus, in response to the said appeal, I am opening myself to any investigation, including the scrutiny of the 5-Man Committee created for this purpose.”
“If my involvement in any illegal drug activities will be established based on evidence, I will submit my unqualified courtesy resignation or optional retirement, whichever is applicable under the circumstance and as authorized by the existing laws, rules and regulations, without prejudice of filing appropriate cases against me for violation of Republic Act No. 9165 as amended and other related cases, if evidence so warrants,” the letter also says.
Once the January 31 deadline set by Azurin for them to file their courtesy resignations is over, the documents will be transmitted by the PNP-DPRM to the DILG and, eventually, the 5-Man Committee.
