ILOILO City – Police colonels in Western Visayas are expected to submit their courtesy resignations anytime soon.
“This is not an issue. Kung wala ka man lang sang kalokohan nga ginahimu indi ka mahadlok,” said Police Colonel Gilbert Gorero, chief of the Regional Operations Division of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6).
PRO-6 director, Police Brigadier General Leo Francisco, who was in Metro Manila yesterday set the example to his men. He submitted his courtesy resignation a day after Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Wednesday called for such. He specifically called out generals and colonels, pointing out that some of them were involved in illegal drugs.
“This order has good intentions. This is a cleansing process among our ranks,” Gorero told Panay News. “Gasuporta ako sa change for a better PNP organization.”
The chief of PRO-6’s Regional Logistics and Research Development Division (RLRDD), too, back the DILG’s call.
“Wala namang problema. In fact, maganda,” said Police Colonel Rhea Santos.
She told Panay News yesterday, “As long as you are not guilty, no problem about that. Susunod tayo sa utos ng ating national command.”
The Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, General Rodolfo Azurin Jr., heeded the appeal of Abalos and submitted his courtesy resignation yesterday, hours before PRO-6’s Francisco did.
“Maganda ang intention ng ating mga officials na nasa itaas,” said Santos.
Gorero, meanwhile, stressed that resignation and courtesy resignation are two different things and have different intentions.
“Madamo ang hindi naka-intindi sini. When you say resignation, you resign from the service with intention. As for courtesy resignation, you (are merely) appl(ying) (to resign). This does not necessarily mean that you are effectively resigned from your position,” he clarified.
“ Ang aton PNP chief, ginpakita niya lang na if you really love your organization and you want to be part of the change, pwede ka mag-submit sang courtesy resignation as part of the cleaning process,” Gorero added.
Santos and Gorero, however, did not say when they will submit their courtesy resignation.
On the other hand, Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) director, Police Colonel Joseph Thomas Martir, said he respects Abalos’ call but averred that the call only applies to those currently assigned in Metro Manila and not those in other regions of the country.
On Wednesday, Jan. 4, following the appeal of Abalos for police generals and colonels to tender their courtesy resignations, PRO-6’s Francisco said they would follow the order.
“Willing po kami for evaluation at kahit investigation kasi we are not guilty and we are not involved in illegal drugs,” said Francisco.
The PRO-6 director also said he was willing to show their drug accomplishments.
“This is an opportunity para malaman kung sino talaga ang involved sa illegal drugs. We have to explain to my regional and command staff that the PNP chief and Secretary Abalos have good intensions for the entire organization,” he added.
Today, Jan. 6, Francisco will hold a conference with his men about Abalos’ call.
PRO-6’s latest record showed a total of 31 police colonels in the region, and two brigadier generals in the persons of Francisco and Brigadier General Archival Macala, the Deputy Regional Director for Administration (DRDA).
Abalos’ appeal for the courtesy resignation of PNP officials may be the quickest way for the country to address the drug menace that has infiltrated the police force.
The DILG chief admitted that the courtesy resignation is an appeal devoid of any directive which is similar to what was done during the time of former President Fidel V. Ramos under different circumstances.
He said a five-person committee would review the profile of the police official who submitted a courtesy resignation.
During the review period, the PNP official who tendered resignation will be allowed to continue functioning in his/her assigned post, and will only be removed from service if the committee approves the resignation.
The PNP announced recently that it had handed down dismissals and disciplinary actions to more than 2,600 errant cops in 2022. (With a report from Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga)/PN
