Retired and active members of the Philippine National Police Academy Alumni Association Inc. (PNPAAAI) have expressed their full support to the ongoing internal cleansing of the Philippine National Police (PNP) currently being implemented through the courtesy resignations of senior police officials.
PNP chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said on Thursday that he had received a manifesto of support from the PNPAAAI in his move to weed out senior police officials involved in illegal drugs through the courtesy resignations sought by Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. from all police colonels and generals.
On Monday, Azurin said that only 24 officials out of the more than 950 colonels and generals have yet to tender their voluntary resignations as he expressed hope that all of them will heed the call of Abalos.
In a statement also released by the PNPAAAI, the association said that its members “have been and will always” be at the forefront of the war against illegal drugs.
“We support the latest internal cleansing campaign of the PNP and, thus, respect the decisions of any of its Third Level Police Commissioned Officers, who are PNPA alumni, following their submission of courtesy resignations called for by the SILG [Secretary of Interior and Local Government] and the CPNP [Chief PNP]. We fervently pray that the processes involved provide a sustainable solution to end the drug menace and strengthen the PNP as an institution,” the group said.
“May the hierarchy of the PNP regard the supremacy of our laws, human rights, and the tenets of Service, Honor, and Justice in resolving this latest internal controversy unfolding within the police agency. With this, the PNPAAAI assures that, as our country faces another challenging phase in our fight against criminality and illegal drugs, its members remain committed to our sworn duty to God, Country, and the Filipino people,”
it added.
Azurin said the support of the PNPA Alumni Association “is a testament to the importance of this internal cleansing effort and the necessity of holding accountable those who have tainted the reputation of the PNP.” -30-
“We are committed to restoring the public’s trust in the institution and will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure that the PNP is composed of only the most exemplary and trustworthy members,” Azurin added.
Image credits: AP/Aaron Favila