Bohol top cop heeds Abalos’

call on courtesy resignation

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, January 10 (PIA)--There is no resistance on the part of Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) director Colonel Lorenzo Batuan on the call of Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. of Interior and Local Government (SILG) for all full-fledged colonels and generals of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to submit their courtesy resignation.

Batuan confirmed on Monday that he officially tendered his resignation on Friday last week along with newly appointed PNP Central Visayas director Brigadier General Jerry Bearis, another brigadier general and 27 colonels in the region.

The lone full police colonel in Bohol said that he believes there are indeed top-brass police officials who are involved in the illicit drug trade.

Batuan added that the process will likely lead to the filing of cases against some police officials.

He said that so far he has not received information indicating that police officers under his command are involved in illegal drugs.

According to the province’s top cop, the local police force’s morale remains high and has not been affected by the mass courtesy resignation.

According to Batuan, they will continue to hold their respective posts pending an evaluation to be conducted by a five-man committee.

“E-evaluate ang amoang record then the instruction is to maintain our present designation so naay status quo until such time na mo gawas ang resulta sa ilang pagahimuon nga investigation,” Batuan said.

Abalos, in a press briefing on Wednesday, made the call as a “radical approach” to cleanse the organization of those linked to illegal drugs.

It was done upon the recommendation of PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. following the confirmation of Senator Ronald dela Rosa on the presence of “ninja cops” in the police force. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)

Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) director Colonel Lorenzo Batuan, the lone full police colonel in Bohol confirmed on Monday that he officially tendered his resignation on Friday last week, to heed the call of the Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos as part of the cleansing process of the Philippine National Police’s ranks. (BPPO photo)