CRACKING the whip on erring policemen, the National Police chief, Director General Avelino Razon Jr., dismissed 52 personnel from the service for various offenses during the past four months.

At the same time, 313 other policemen were meted out disciplinary sanctions for administrative offenses and involvement in irregularities.

“While a grateful National Police is quick to express its appreciation for a job well done by recognizing outstanding personnel for good performance, it is also swift and decisive in addressing issues on discipline by some erring members of the force,” Razon said.

The 52 dismissed personnel were involved in cases ranging from grave misconduct, serious irregularities and involvement in criminal activities.

Among those dismissed were a senior officer, 50 other policemen and a nonuniformed personnel.

Chief Supt. Nicanor Bartolome, National Police spokesman, said all benefits due the dismissed personnel were forfeited.

The National Police also imposed sanctions against 313 personnel who were penalized with demotion in rank; suspension or forfeiture of salary; reprimand and forced resignation; and restriction to quarters.

From January to April this year, 55 policemen were dropped from the rolls, mostly for going on absence without official leave.

Citing records of the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM), Bartolome said the 365 personnel meted out disciplinary sanctions were among 881 personnel who were investigated and charged in 589 cases handled by the different summary hearing boards over the past four months.

Task Force Patnubay of the DPRM keeps track of all administrative and criminal cases involving policemen. At present, there are still 3,127 pending administrative cases awaiting resolution in the summary hearing boards, mostly carry-over cases from previous years.

The National Police has started distributing the mid-year bonus to its 125, 000 members, which represent half of the mandatory 13th month pay that all state workers are entitled to receive.

“This additional benefit will inspire Mamang Pulis and Aling Pulis to give their best in serving and protecting the people,” Razon.

The Department of the Budget and Management has released to the National Police Directorate for Comptrollership the amount of P1,101,205,000 to pay for the bonuses.

Customs functions reorganized

PRESIDENT Arroyo has reorganized certain functions of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) “to make it more responsive” to the government’s antismuggling campaign.

ZAMBOANGA CITY—Police and military officials are eyeing the possible involvement of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Thursday’s bombing that killed two people and injured 21 others.

ENVIRONMENT Secretary Lito Atienza on Sunday called on some 100 farmers from Calatagan, Batangas, not to camp out in front of the Department of Environment and Natural Resource’s (DENR) central office on Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, saying camping out in front of the office “is not the solution to their problem.”

CRACKING the whip on erring policemen, the National Police chief, Director General Avelino Razon Jr., dismissed 52 personnel from the service for various offenses during the past four months.

THE National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) has asked Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez to look into the plight of radio broadcaster Alexander Adonis, who has remained in jail for libel despite a court order mandating his release.

THE House of Representatives has forwarded to the Senate an approved bill that would upgrade the capabilities of the Bureau of Food and Drugs (Bfad) to ensure public health and safety with respect to food, cosmetics and drugs marketed in the Philippines.

THE Optical Media Board (OMB) has again won plaudits from an agency of the US government for its campaign against intellectual property piracy.