Sacked: 398 Philippine police officers

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's police chief has ordered the sacking of 398 police officers for involvement in illegal drug activities and crimes such as murder and rape, while 1,216 other officers were given disciplinary action.

General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa told the local media in a statement on Wednesday: “As the father of the organization, my heart bleeds when I sign dismissal orders for delinquent policemen. It’s a tough decision, but it had to be done for the sake of the organization.” 

The Philippine National Police (PNP) Public Information Office, stated that of the 398 dismissed officers, 151 were found positive for drug use while 16 were involved in drug-related activities. 

High crimes, misdemeanors 

Of the number, 91 others were dismissed for being absent without official leave (AWOL); 10 for kidnapping; 22 for murder; six for homicide; three for rape; two for parricide; and three for illegal arrest and detention.

Meanwhile, 23 others were dismissed for robbery and extortion; one for graft and malversation; and 70 others for grave misconduct due to immorality, dishonesty, estafa, and violation of Bouncing Checks Law (BP22), the office added.

Dela Rosa also ordered the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM) to impose disciplinary actions on 1,216 other erring police officers.

The penalties for the 1,216 include demotion, suspension, reprimand, restriction, and salary forfeitures.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted police showing that administrative cases covered the period from 2016 to 2018, under the PNP Comprehensive Internal Disciplinary Mechanism.