37 policemen sacked from service in Central Luzon

PAMPANGA, Philippines – A total of 37 policemen, including a police general, have been sacked, while more than 100 others face administrative charges in a bid to clean up the ranks of police officers in Central Luzon.

The move is in line with the directive of Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento to reform the rank and file of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and regain the public’s trust and confidence.

Records from the Police Region Office 3’s Discipline Law and Order Section showed that 37 PNP personnel have been dismissed from the service, while 52 were suspended.

Eleven policemen were demoted to the next lower rank, while one was separated from the service.

Since January, administrative cases have been filed against a total of 127 PNP personnel. They comprise 1.32% of the 11,479-strong police force in Region III.

Nine are police commissioned officers while the remaining 143 are non-commissioned officers.

Meanwhile, 34 were cleared of their administrative cases.

PRO3 Acting Regional Director Chief Superintendent Rudy Lacadin said that those meted with disciplinary action were given due process in the investigations before the final decisions were released.

“We will continue to weed out hoodlums and punish the undisciplined among our ranks through the strict application of the punitive sanctions for violations of PNP rules and regulations, and intensified counter-intelligence effort against illegal activities of PNP personnel,” Lacadin said.

Newsmen based here also challenged Lacadin to announce the dismissal of policemen involved in illegal drugs to serve as a warning. – Rappler.com