President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday accepted the resignation of 18 policemen — three generals and 15 colonels — allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.
In a statement by Malacañang, the President accepted the resignation of the third-level officers of the Philippine National Police upon the recommendation of the National Police Commission Ad Hoc Advisory Group that handled the matter.
PNP Chief Benjamin Acorda Jr. said the 18 were from a group of 953 officers who had submitted courtesy resignations and undergone a thorough investigation.
The 18 officials included are the following:
1. PBGEN Remus Balingasa Medina O-10038
2. PBGEN Randy Quines Peralta O-05124
3. PBGEN Pablo Gacayan Labra II O-03734
4. PCOL Rogarth Bulalacao Campo O-08477
5. PCOL Rommel Javier Ochave O-08085
6. PCOL Rommel Allaga Velasco O-08084
7. PCOL Robin King Sarmiento O-03552
8. PCOL Fernando Reyes Ortega O-07478
9. PCOL Rex Ordoño Derilo O-10549
10. PCOL Julian Tesorero Olonan O-12395
11. PCOL Rolando Tapon Portera O-07520
12. PCOL Lawrence Bonifacio Cajipe O-12905
13. PCOL Dario Milagrosa Menor O-07757
14. PCOL Joel Kagayed Tampis O-08180
15. PCOL Michael Arcillas David O-07686
16. PCOL Igmedio Belonio Bernaldez O-12544
17. PCOL Rodolfo Calope Albotra Jr O-08061
18. PCOL Marvin Barba Sanchez O-08043
President Marcos said in his second State of the Nation Address that he would be accepting the resignation of “unscrupulous law enforcers and others involved in the highly nefarious drug trade.”
He also emphasized the need to appoint individuals with unquestionable integrity to lead the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.
The President said the government is putting up a “new face” on its anti-illegal drug campaign to eliminate the “dreaded and corrosive social curse.”
“In their stead, we will install individuals with unquestionable integrity, who will be effective and trustworthy in handling the task of eliminating this dreaded and corrosive social curse. We cannot tolerate corruption or incompetence in government,” said the President in his SONA.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairman of the House committee on dangerous drugs, on Tuesday lauded the President’s move of accepting the resignations of the 18 senior police officers allegedly involved in illegal drug activities.
“Make no mistake about it. The President’s acceptance of the resignations of the 18 senior police officers allegedly involved in illegal drug activities is a welcome move and proves the seriousness of his resolve to curb the drug menace. This is a big win in our war on drugs,” Barbers said.
Barbers urged the people to cooperate fully with the government to resolve the drug problem and reclaim the future of the country, free from illegal drugs.
“Our united front in fighting this problem does not end here. We shall continue to be vigilant and steadfast in the performance of our duties so we can deliver to the people our promise of good governance”, Barbers added.