11K Cops Facing Criminal, Admin Raps; 3K Dismissed; 4,600 Suspended

January 21, 2020 Provincial

BAGUIO CITY (January 17, 2020) – At least 11,000 policemen around the country are facing criminal and administrative charges, Philippine National Police spokesman Brig. General Bernard Banac told Cagayan Valley region policemen in his visit of Camp Adduru in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, Thursday morning.
These allegedly erring policemen account to 5 percent of the total 205,000 police force in the country. Amidst the PNP’s relentless campaign on internal cleansing, 4,600 were suspended by the police leadership with penalties ranging from 30 days to 1 year while another 3,000 were already dismissed from the police organization, Banac said.
This while Banac hailedCagayan Valley region with the least number of policemen involved in illegal activities.
“Mababa ang bilang ng mga pulis na nasasangkot sa anumang iregularidad at ilegal na aktibidad sa Cagayan Valley kumpara sa ibang rehiyon and hopefully, it will continue to go down. Patunay nito na epektibo ang pagpapatupad sa PNP Internal Cleansing dito sa Region 2,” Banac was quoted by Cagayan police director Brig. Gen. Angelito Casimiro said.
Casimiro two months ago took the helm of the Cagayan Valley police. Two weeks ago, at least 25 chiefs of police in various police stations in Cagayan and Isabela including key posts in the police provincial offices were relieve because of alleged inefficiencies.
Banac beamed of an 82 percent approval rating in the police’s drive versus illegal drugs in the latest survey of the Social Weather Station (SWS). The positive public perception on the ongoing internal cleansing program is attributable to the collective efforts of the different religious sectors, PNP Advisory Council in different regions and the public as well, Banac cited.
 
Artemio A. Dumlao/ABN