PNP says it has dismissed at least 2,500 police officers

March 7, 2019

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said around 8,000 police officers were disciplined under the Duterte administration.

In a TV interview, Police General Oscar Albayalde said since Duterte became president  2,528 police officers were dismissed while 4,511 were suspended.

“Overall, we’ve already disciplined more than 8,000 (police),” said the head of the PNP.

Albayalde said they are doing everything to change their image and to prove to the Filipino people that they want to change.

“Well we are doing everything to change our image and to prove to the people that we want to change. That is called culture change and transformation in our organization,” he said.

Albayalde explained that presenting erring cops to the public is their way of emphasizing to other police officers they are serious in their internal cleansing program.

“We want to emphasize that by using the media and social media, we can show to our co-policemen… that this leadership is serious,” he said.

This after, he ordered the relief of 44 police officers, including the Eastern Police District Director and the Pasay City chief of police, after arresting their colleagues for alleged involvement in extortion.

Albayalde encouraged the public to continue their trust and support to the PNP organization.

“To our people, let’s continue on supporting each other especially those who witness few of our policemen doing corruption. Report them to our CITF (Counter-Intelligence Task Force) or to the nearest police station,” said Albayalde.

“We assure you that we are doing everything to stop the illegal activities being done by few officers in our organization,” he added.

Albayalde also supported the move of National Capital Region Police head Major General Guillermo Eleazar to cleanse their ranks.

"When a recruit takes his oath as a professional police officer, he automatically loses or waives some of his rights in favor of organizational discipline, duties and responsibilities. So, being scolded, reprimanded, bawled out, or dressed down for misdemeanor, misconduct or commission of crime is just part and parcel of his life being in the uniformed service," Albayalde said in a statement.

He then warned directors, commanders, and chiefs of units and offices to constantly supervise their personnel to maintain discipline and order within ranks and ensure their obedience to all lawful orders, policies, rules and regulations.

Albayalde reminded all personnel that he will never tolerate illegal acts or wrongdoings committed by anyone in the ranks, as the full force of disciplinary mechanisms will be applied to them according to the existing policies and laws.

"This is a stern warning to all PNP personnel. We will be adding more teeth to our campaign against those rouges and scalawags among our ranks. We will not hesitate to relieve any official from their posts should any incident like this extortion and robbery case would happen again," Albayalde said. Ella Dionisio/DMS