Mayor Benjie OKs SILG’S Call for Courtesy Resignation in the PNP

Mayor Benjie supports the SILG’s (Secretary of the Interior and Local Government) call for high-ranking police officials to render their courtesy resignation in order to restore the public’s trust in the PNP, being a crucial institution for law enforcement. “I think it was the right decision on the part of the SILG na kausapin ang ating kapulisan especially yung mga senior officers, colonels hanggang sa mga heneral, na magfile o maghain ng courtesy resignation para once and for all malinis na [ang PNP],” the mayor said in an interview.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos’ move to urge PNP top brass to render their courtesy resigations is an effort to cleanse their ranks.

“Ito namang decision ng ating SILG, hindi naman ito arbitrary. Hindi naman ito basta-basta na reaksyon lang na knee-jerk reaction. Ito’y pinag-isipan mabuti, pinag-usapan, mayroong matinding discussion dito, deliberation, [at] consultation,” the mayor added.

Chief PNP Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. who heeded the call for resignation, was lauded by the mayor as leadership by example. “That should signal that all other senior officers [to] follow the same. Wala ka namang ikatatakot kung wala kang ginagawang masama o wala kang ginawang masama. Bakit nga ba natatakot yung iba? Doon ako nagtataka.”

Mayor Benjie also said that the 5-man panel is responsible in bringing back the credibility of the PNP. “Knowing the character of the President, very meticulous si Presidente at si Secretary, I’m sure na they will be coming up or choose members who are known for their probity, moral principles, competence, integrity, objectivity. Yun ang mga kailangan dito kasi sa ganitong klaseng pagdedeliberate ng mga critical issues na ito.”

The mayor claimed that several high-ranking cops have been removed from service during the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. However, there were others who are still within the institution, which prompted the SILG to take drastic action. “Hindi nila alam na matindi rin itong administration na bent on really pursuing and at the same time sustaining yung effort nung previous administration.”