January 5, 2023

Amid reports of the continued existence of so-called “ninja cops” in the Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos, Jr. today called for the courtesy resignation of full colonels and generals of the PNP as part of the government’s efforts to cleanse the ranks of the police organization of those involved in illegal drugs, saying that it will be an “act of honor” to rebuild the reputation and integrity of the PNP.

According to Abalos, the ranks concerned are the most sensitive and critical positions in the PNP, hence the need for a swift solution to the problem.

“I am appealing to our full colonels and generals in the PNP to submit a courtesy resignation because this is the only way that we can cleanse the ranks of the PNP nang mabilis,” said Abalos during this morning’s press conference held at the PNP national headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City. Abalos clarified that the courtesy resignation is effective only upon acceptance. Pending acceptance, the officer may continue in his position.

“Kung wala kang ginagawang masama, there’s nothing to worry about. Tuloy lang ang trabaho. We just want to start fresh with a clean slate,” he added.

He said there is a need to take a radical approach versus illegal drugs by cleansing the PNP because it is unfair to the majority of the police officers who are putting their lives on the line everyday to combat illegal drugs while some of their bosses in the organization are behind illegal drug trade.

“Maraming pulis ang binubuwis ang sarili nilang buhay para sugpuin ang iligal na droga, ayun pala boss nila ang kalaban nila. Napaka-unfair naman sa majority sa ating kapulisan na matinong nagtatrabaho,” he said.

Ninja cops are police officers involved in the illicit re-sale of confiscated illegal drugs.

Abalos said there will be a committee of five trustworthy persons, whose names he did not divulge for their security, who will be on top of going through the pertinent records to find out who are involved in illegal drugs.

“Please be with me in this fight. Ang laban na ito ay hindi para sa atin, kundi para sa ating mga anak, sa ating bansa, at para sa kinabukasan,” he said.

Original Article at: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/PNP-courtesy-resignation-is-an-act-of-honor/NC-2023-1000