The Police Regional Office 7 (PRO7) has recorded a decrease in administrative cases involving its personnel accused of committing various wrongdoings.
From 99 cases in 2021, the figure went down to 85 cases this year, according to PRO7 director Brig. Gen. Roderick Augustus Alba.
Alba also emphasized the high solution rate of the PRO7 in resolving administrative cases as he revealed that of the 85 cases handled this year, 72 of them were already resolved. The 72 cases involved 389 policemen.
There was no backlog in the 99 cases recorded last year.
Based on the PRO7 data, grave misconduct ranked as the highest nature of the offense committed by police officers, followed by grave neglect of duty and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
While some administrative charges against policemen are legitimate, the PNP noted that some of them were also found to be intended for harassment, the frequent victims are ground policemen involved in operations.
Alba attributed the decrease to the intervention measures based on the strategic policies issued by the PNP leadership.
He said the reduction was also noted in the policemen involved in illegal drugs activities.
Alba earlier issued a directive to all police commanders in Central Visayas that an entire unit would be relieved if one of its members is caught in recycling illegal drugs and other drug-related offenses.
“In line with the goal of the Philippine National Police to improve its credibility, we vowed to step up our efforts to cleanse the ranks in the organization and raise the level of discipline, competence, and professionalism," said Alba.
"We will make sure that all police officers in Central Visayas possess transparency, accountability, and integrity in all their operations. Necessary mechanisms are set into place so that rogue cops are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law because delinquents have no place in the police service,” he added.