THE Philippine National Police has forwarded its recommendation to Malacañang to dismiss three “narco-generals” who were tagged by President Rodrigo Duterte.
The three ranking police officials were identified as Director Joel Pagdilao, and Chief Supts. Bernardo Diaz and Edgardo Tinio.
Pagdilao was the former chief of the National Capital Region Police Office; Diaz is the former Western Visayas regional chief; and Tinio, the former chief of the Quezon City Police District.
“I cannot sign their dismissal orders since they are third level officers and it is only the President who can sign their dismissal since the President is the appointing authority,” PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa said.
In a speech at the Philippine Air Force last year, Duterte identified Pagdilao, Diaz, Tinio, retired police general Marcelo Garbo and Daanbantayan, Cebu Mayor Vicente Loot, also a retired police general of having links to illegal drugs.
The police officials have all denied the allegations, but Dela Rosa immediately ordered them relieved.
The three active police officials went to Dela Rosa in Camp Crame to give their side, but Garbo and Loot did not join them.
Dela Rosa said the National Police Commission decision to dismiss Pagdilao, Diaz and Tinio was just awaiting the signature of the President.
The dismissal order also includes 84 erring police officers, including Supt. Maria Cristina Nobleza, who was arrested with her Abu Sayyaf bandit lover while trying to rescue wounded comrades in Bohol.
Also included was Supt. Lito Cabamongan, a former crime lab officer caught in a drug session in Las Piñas City.
In the first year as PNP chief, Dela Rosa said he had dismissed 160 policemen involved in illegal drugs and illegal activities.
Dela Rosa said they are winning the campaign against illegal drugs on the basis of popular opinion from people who feel safer on the streets.
“This goes to show that most crimes are due to illegal drugs,” Dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa said his first year as PNP chief was like an amusement park ride, Anchors Away, with riders reaching a peak before making a sharp fall.
“That’s how I described my first year. It will reach its peack and then you feel that your balls are being sucked out when it goes down, and then it makes you want to pee when it climbs up again,” Dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa said the peak portion was when the PNP was doing well against illegal drugs which results to a lower crime rate and safer communities.
The lowest, he said when a number of erring cops, including those involved in the kidnap slaying of Korean businessman, Jee Ick Joo, tarnish the police image.