Azurin: 10 PNP officials yet to submit courtesy resignations

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 30) — Ten senior police officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have yet to submit their courtesy resignations a day before the January 31 deadline, PNP chief General Rodolfo Azurin said Monday.

Of the number, Azurin said three are generals while seven are police colonels. He said most of them are set to retire "within the next few days or months."

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos called on high-ranking PNP officials to submit their courtesy resignations earlier this month in a bid to rid the police force of those involved in the illegal drug trade.

With a day left before the deadline, Azurin said he and other PNP officials are trying to convince their senior colleagues to file their courtesy resignations.

"Out of the 951 na officers, 941 na yung nag-submit. So we only have 10: Three generals and seven colonels. But karamihan nitong sampung ito, retiring within the next few days and months," said Azurin.

"We are trying to ask them kung, is there any clarification? May mga gusto ba silang itanong o nalalabuan ba sila doon sa instruction on the courtesy resignation so that we can further explain to them kasi ano yan eh, para bang, sayang naman. Kakaunti na lang naman sila, ano pa ba ang agam-agam nila? Bakit hindi pa sila makapag-submit ng courtesy resignation."

[Translation: Out of the 951 officers, 941 have submitted their resignations. We are asking them if they want any clarification. Do they have any questions or if they need clarification on the instructions about the courtesy resignation so that we can further explain. There are only a few of them, so what other questions do they have? Why haven't they submitted their courtesy resignations.]

Azurin was at the House of Representatives to attend the hearing of the Committee on Public Order and Safety on a bill restructuring the PNP.

House Joint Resolution (HJR) No. 11 authored by Speaker Martin Romualdez and Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe provides for the adoption of the current structure of the PNP, including the pay and allowances of PNP personnel and approving the promotion to the next higher ranks of all third level police officers.

Azurin thanked lawmakers after a technical working group approved a draft substitute measure to HJR 11. He said the PNP has been waiting 25 years for the restructuring of its ranks to be implemented.

"What just happened this afternoon is a milestone and a landmark for the PNP and Napolcom (National Police Commission) because we waited 25 years. We waited 25 years for PNP to be restructured in the way that we want it to be for the time being. So in behalf of the Philippine National Police, we would like to thank the august chamber of the House of Representatives," he said.