More lawyer-cops reassigned to address backlog of cases vs erring Metro Manila cops
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has ordered the recall of all its lawyer-personnel from other units, and has reassigned them to the Discipline, Law and Order Division (DLOS), Regional Headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.
NCRPO director Police Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo said the move was to have as many personnel available to work on declogging the piling administrative cases against policemen assigned in Metro Manila.
"With the commitment to raise the level of discipline, competence, and effectiveness of our personnel, we will intensify our efforts to cleanse the ranks within the organization. The road to internal cleansing might be long but with the assistance and expertise of all these lawyers, the internal cleansing effort of the NCRPO will not be in vain," said Estomo.
Based on the NCRPO data, there were 477 new administrative cases that have been submitted and documented from January to August 2022.
Of the figure, 265 were previously resolved and the remaining 212 were under evaluation.
The administrative cases include less grave offenses such as simple neglect of duty, simple misconduct, gross discourtesy in the course of official duties, insubordination, and habitual drunkenness while 26 were recorded for other simple offenses.
From the same period, a total of 176 personnel were dismissed from the service, 29 were demoted, 476 were suspended, 141 faced forfeiture of salary, and 76 were reprimanded.
Aside from dismissal from the service, policemen who were accused with less serious charges were meted with several penalties.