MANILA — Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Wednesday maintained that the law enforcement agency’s morale “remains high” amid its efforts to crack down on erring officers.
Nartatez’s statement came after he announced that seven police officers are under investigation after P13.451 million in cash was unaccounted for from evidence seized from an alleged Philippine offshore gaming operator.
“Will this lower the morale of our personnel? No. Our people’s morale remains high,” Nartatez said in a statement.
“At least 95 percent of our personnel are performing their duties honorably. It is only fair that we act decisively against the five percent or fewer who tarnish the image of the PNP. They will be dismissed,” he stressed.
Nartatez previously said that the police force dismissed 428 officers from the service between Aug. 26 and Nov. 26, 2025, for various violations of law-enforcement rules.
He added that the PNP also demoted 71 officers and suspended 448 for administrative offenses, to show that the police force “will not tolerate any behavior that undermines the integrity of the organization.” (Jason Sigales © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
