Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said on Wednesday revealed the personalities who will complete the five-man committee tasked to assess the police generals and colonels on their possible involvement in the illegal drug trade.
At a Palace press briefing, Abalos revealed that Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., former defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro, and retired police general Isagani Nerez will join retired police general and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong in the committee that will review the courtesy resignations.
However, the last member of the group refused to be identified publicly, according to the Department of Interior and Local Government head.
“I would like to reiterate that this is just an advisory group. They have no salary, nothing at all, no allowance. Nothing. They are doing this voluntarily; they are just advising,” he said.
The DILG chief added he was confident that the “advisory group” would conduct unprejudiced assessments, noting that they “are known for their unquestionable integrity, credibility, and untainted reputation.”
“I am definite that this advisory group shall remain apolitical throughout the process of screening and, in the end, (they will) penalize only those guilty and involved in the illegal drugs trade.”
Abalos disclosed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not accept the courtesy resignation of Azurin as he “is needed to steer the committee.”
“They [the group] will be the ones to have their own regulations. Probably, that’s why the Chief is there, to guide them,” Abalos said.
Abalos earlier appealed to police generals and colonels to submit their “courtesy resignations” until 31 January 2023 in a bid to speed up the internal cleansing within the police force.