THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has implemented the resignations of 18 police officials who were allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade, its chief, Benjamin Acorda Jr., said on Monday, July 31, 2023.
In an interview with reporters, Acorda said the 18 policemen "are deemed resigned" after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. accepted their courtesy resignation.
"[Yes] We have implemented the order or the acceptance so we issued the appropriate orders with regards to the acceptance," he said.
"He (Marcos) gave the letter, we received the letter, we got the acceptance letter so we implemented it," he added.
Since the officials have resigned, there are still several benefits due to them.
Acorda said these officials may also file for an appeal but while it is undergoing process, the positions they will vacate will be filled up.
"On the part of the whole organization, I am requesting for all of us to continue to work. We should not be affected by this outcome and what I want is that each and every personnel will continue to implement and do our law enforcement operations professionally and aggressively," he said.
"I believe that this is the only way so that this would not be repeated," he added.
Acorda reiterated the PNP's full commitment to intensifying the war against illegal drugs.
The 18 policemen filed their courtesy resignation, along with over 900 full-fledged police colonels and generals, in January in response to the call of Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. that stemmed from a drug operation in Manila on October 8, 2023 that resulted in the seizure of 990 kilos of shabu worth P6.7 billion and the arrest of Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr.
Several policemen were also involved in the pilferage of several kilos of shabu from the drug haul.
The move was aimed at weeding out the police organization from erring members. (SunStar Philippines)