Interior and Local Government Sec. Benjamin Abalos Jr. distanced himself from the recommendation to accept the courtesy resignation of 18 Philippine National Police (PNP) officers allegedly involved in illegal drug activities.
Abalos stressed on Wednesday, July 26, that the recommendation came from the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Ad Hoc Advisory Group.
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) chief said that he only learned of the recommendation made by the five-man committee when it reached President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Abalos, who made the call for police colonel and full-fledged police general to tender their courtesy resignation, said that he still needs to review the findings of the advisory group.
"Ito ay advisory group. Wala tayong kinalaman diyan," Abalos said on Wednesday, July 26, during DZRH's Dos Por Dos.
President Marcos accepted on Tuesday, July 25, the courtesy resignation of the 18 PNP officers, which included two police generals.
The Presidential Communications Office identified the PNP officers as:
- PBGEN Remus Balingasa Medina
- PBGEN Randy Quines Peralta
- PBGEN Pablo Gacayan Labra II
- PCOL Rogarth Bulalacao Campo
- PCOL Rommel Javier Ochave
- PCOL Rommel Allaga Velasco
- PCOL Robin King Sarmiento
- PCOL Fernando Reyes Ortega
- PCOL Rex Ordoño Derilo
- PCOL Julian Tesorero Olonan
- PCOL Rolando Tapon Portera
- PCOL Lawrence Bonifacio Cajipe
- PCOL Dario Milagrosa Menor
- PCOL Joel Kagayed Tampis
- PCOL Michael Arcillas David
- PCOL Igmedio Belonio Bernaldez
- PCOL Rodolfo Calope Albotra Jr
- PCOL Marvin Barba Sanchez
PGen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., chief of PNP, assured that the 18 PNP officers will remain under continuous monitoring, and that the that necessary orders for their relief from their present positions will be immediately issued.
Acorda said that the officers will be assigned to the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit, Directorate for Personnel and Records Management 'to preclude them from exerting further influence and/or performing illegal activities using their positions'.
Abalos said that the PNP will wait for communication from the Malacanang regarding the fate of the 18 PNP officers.
