President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, July 25, accepted the resignation of 18 third-level Philippine National Police (PNP) officers who are allegedly involved in illegal drug activities.
The PNP chief, Benjamin Acorda Jr., said in a letter to the president that the National Police Commission Ad Hoc Advisory Group conducted an investigation into the alleged involvement of a total of 953 third-level PNP officers in illegal drugs activities.
Of the 953 officers, 935 submitted courtesy resignations pending investigation. The Ad Hoc Advisory Group recommended the non-acceptance of the courtesy resignations of these 935 officers.
However, the group recommended the acceptance of the resignation of the following 18 officers:
• 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
Acorda said the 18 officers will be assigned to the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit of the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management of the PNP. This is to prevent them from exerting further influence and/or performing illegal activities using their positions.
The president’s decision to accept the resignation of the 18 PNP officers is a strong signal that he is serious about fighting corruption and illegal drugs. It is also a message to other PNP officers that they will be held accountable for their actions.
The president’s decision has been met with mixed reactions. Some people have praised the president for taking action against corrupt PNP officers, while others have criticized him for not taking a stronger stance.
Only time will tell whether the president’s decision will have a significant impact on the fight against corruption and illegal drugs in the Philippines. However, it is a step in the right direction, observers said.