Bacolod City – Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, head of the Association of Chief Executives Negros, expressed his support to the call of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamen Abalos Jr. for the courtesy resignation of all colonels and generals in the PNP, amid fears that some of them are already linked or involved in illegal drug trade.
There are about 300 full-fledged colonels and generals in the PNP. Benitez, said “as an ambassador of the BIDA (Buhay Ingatan Droga Ayawan) program of DILG, it is my commitment to stand against the damaging impact of illegal drug use.”
Western Visayas police director PBrig. Gen. Leo Francisco said that he will heed the call of Secretary Abalos Jr. for the submission of courtesy resignations, stressing that he has nothing to hide and fear.
In a statement issued by the Police Regional Office 6, Francisco said “it is also our chance to clear our names and make a statement that we are supporting the programs and the transformation of our PNP organization.”
Let us trust the process of investigating who the rogue cops are, he further said. “As a good soldier, I will heed the call of the SILG,” Francisco stressed.
The Third Level Officers of PRO6, with the rank of full-fledged colonel, in another statement they issued, said they will also heed the call of the SILG to cleanse the ranks of the PNP of rogue cops involved in illegal drugs.
We are open to any inquiry on involvement in illegal drug related activities by a duly constituted administrative body in relation to this noble goal of cleansing the ranks of the PNP, they said
They also condemned the illegal acts of PNP officers who have tarnished the reputation of the organization by their involvement in illegal drugs.
“The need to cleanse the rank of our law enforcement unit is an urgent call for the sake of all honest and dedicated members of the institution and the general public. It must be impartial, fair, uncompromising and with due diligence process to bring back the trust and confidence along with the honor the members of the Philippine National Police deserve,” Benitez said.
“As Secretary Benhur Abalos reiterated, those who are not involved need not be afraid. Thus, I believe that all clean and honest law enforcement units should be one with us and altogether, shall rally behind the enforcement of the campaign. We also trust and expect that the whole process will be just, fair, and impartial,” Benitez added. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star (TVDS), photo courtesy of TVDS)