More than 300 erring cops sacked

By Aaron Recuenco

A total of 398 policemen were dismissed from the service since January 2016, almost half of whom were charged and found guilty of illegal drug use, among other cases.

Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, spokesman of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said 1,216 other cops were also penalized for various offenses.

“This is part of the continuous internal reform in the organization. The penalties which include dismissal from the service are due to administrative cases,” said Bulalacao.

Among the dismissed police officers, 151 were found positive for illegal drug use.

The figure includes a police colonel who was caught in the act of using shabu in a raid in Las Piñas City last year.

Bulalacao said 91 were dismissed for Absence Without Official Leave (AWOL); 10 for Kidnapping, 22 for Murder, three for rape; six for homicide; two for parricide; and three for illegal arrest and detention.

“Twenty-three more were dismissed for involvement in Robbery/Extortion, one for graft and malversation of public funds; and 70 others for grave misconduct that stemmed from immorality, dishonesty, estafa,” said Bulalacao.

“Aside from those dismissed, 1,216 other personnel were meted disciplinary penalties in ‎2016-2018 ranging from demotion, suspension, reprimand, restriction, and salary forfeiture,” he added.

Since 2016, there were 14,515 administrative cases investigated, wherein, 8,422 cases were resolved.

At present, there are 6,093 administrative cases pending resolution, according to Bulalacao.