Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos on Wednesday urged generals and full colonels of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to submit their courtesy resignation amid the possibility of their involvement in the illegal drug trade.
Abalos made the surprise announcement during a press conference.
"Ako ay nananawagan sa lahat ng full colonel hanggang sa general, ako ay umaapela na mag-submit ng courtesy resignation [I am calling on all full colonel and general, I am urging you to submit your courtesy resignation," he said.
"Alam kong mabibigla kayo, pero this is the only way to make a fresh start [I know you will be surprised, but this is the only way to make a fresh start]," he added.
According to Abalos, a committee will conduct an investigation on all these police officers, and the courtesy resignation of those with proven links to the illegal drug trade will be accepted.
"We’ve been doing that at alam mo naman. Ang tagal ng proseso ng husgado, ang technicality, ang lahat. Kaya nga sinasabi ko sa inyo, ito ay ang shortcut dito, if you want it that way. That’s why I’m appealing to them," he said.
[We’ve been doing that and you know, the judicial process takes a long time, the technicality, and all. That’s why I am telling you, this is the shortcut if you want it that way. That’s why I’m appealing to them.]
Abalos said the call covers more or less 300 full colonels and generals in the police force, including PNP chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr.
"This is a very radical move, but we have to do this," Abalos said.
