“I AM supporting him to lead the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) and he is also doing his job.”

This was the reaction of Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez Friday, January 13, after BCPO director Thomas Joseph Martir already submitted his courtesy resignation to the Police Regional Office-Western Visayas last week.

This, after Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. appealed for police colonels and generals to file their courtesy resignation amid fears that high-ranking officials are already involved in illegal drug activities.

Benitez, who also supported the appeal of Abalos, said that this strategy is to make sure that the questionable police personnel will be investigated.

“This is just a courtesy resignation and not a mass resignation so it’s just procedural to determine those who are not fit for the job. I think this is just a matter of making sure that the cleansing and filtering of enforcement officials are actually above doubt with complete trust and confidence,” he said.

The mayor added that the issues with illegal drugs should never be taken lightly. More so if the concerned individuals are affiliated with the government and those at the forefront of the fight against such illicit activities.

Benitez noted that the courtesy resignation of Martir will not affect the operations of BCPO to maintain peace and order in the city.

Abalos earlier said the move was recommended by General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. himself after Senator Ronald de la Rosa confirmed the presence of “ninja cops” in the police force.

Martir earlier said that they are always ready for any validation to be conducted by the Philippine National Police since they are not hiding anything.

In the meantime, Martir said he will stay on his post and he will wait for the final instruction from the PNP higher office.