NEARLY 3,000 police personnel were punished over various violations in line of duty amid the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) intensified internal cleansing in 2024.
In a statement Sunday, January 26, 2025, PNP chief General Rommel Marbil said that from January to December 2024, 5,457 PNP personnel were charged administratively in 3,751 cases.
Out of the charged personnel, 2,765 were meted penalties, while 2,691 were exonerated.
Among those penalized, 903 were dismissed from the service, 1,112 received suspensions, 108 were demoted, 103 received forfeiture of salary, 423 were reprimanded, 82 were restricted, and 34 got their privileges withheld.
Included to those dismissed personnel were five lieutenant colonels, six majors, 12 captains, and five lieutenants, while a colonel, 19 lieutenant colonels, 29 majors, 30 captains, and 22 lieutenants were among those who were suspended.
Recently, Marbil ordered over 20 police officers to be placed under restrictive custody over their alleged involvement in the irregularities in the multi-billion drug bust in Manila in late 2022.
Of the 30 PNP personnel accused of involvement in the seizure of P6.7 billion worth of shabu in Tondo, two have retired, three availed themselves of optional retirement, one resigned from the service, and two had been dismissed.
They were charged with planting evidence and delay and bungling in the prosecution of drug cases.
Marbil has lauded the effectiveness of the organization's internal disciplinary mechanism, citing its pivotal role in upholding integrity and accountability within the ranks.
The PNP’s internal disciplinary mechanism adopts a holistic, three-point approach such as Preventive Approach that focuses on proactive measures designed to deter misconduct before it arises; Punitive Approach, often referred to as the “iron hand" of the policy, which ensures that erring personnel are held accountable through the imposition of appropriate sanctions; and the Restorative Approach, or the "soft hand," that aims to rehabilitate penalized personnel while restoring the morale and dignity of exonerated officers through moral recovery programs, seminars, and reintegration activities.
The PNP has also implemented measures to expedite case resolution, including the Zero-Backlog Program, which adheres to the 110-day resolution timeframe prescribed by Napolcom Memorandum Circular 2016-002.
In 2024 alone, 1,663 personnel underwent seminars on disciplinary policies, enhancing their capacity to handle administrative cases with efficiency and procedural precision.
“The PNP remains steadfast in its commitment to internal cleansing and organizational excellence. These efforts not only strengthen our institution but also reaffirm our dedication to serving and protecting the Filipino people with honor and integrity,” said Marbil. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)