Investigation and prosecution await officials of the the Philippine National Police (PNP) whose courtesy resignations would be accepted by the Committee of Five, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. said.

“The process does not end upon the acceptance of courtesy resignation,” Abalos noted.

“As I previously stated, even if a police official is allowed to retire for the time being, the monitoring and investigation must continue, to gather evidence that may lead to eventual criminal prosecution. We must always act within the rule of law. As a lawyer, I want to make sure that cases filed shall succeed and can withstand court litigation,” he added.

Abalos earlier asked senior oPNP officials--from full colonel to generals-- to submit courtesy resignation as part of the effort to finally cleanse the organization of the so-called narco-cops.

Once the courtesy resignation is accepted, the police officials would be forced to retire from the service.

In accepting the courtesy resignation, Abalos said the five-man advisory group and the National Police Commission (Napolcom) would be guided by the evidence against the PNP police colonels and generals.

He added that the retirement of PNP senior officials with illegal drug links does not exonerate them from liability as the DILG “will still build solid cases against them and prosecute them if the evidence warrants.’’

“Huwag nilang akalain na kapag nagretire na sila ay lusot na sila. Hindi po. Tuloy-tuloy ang monitoring, tuloy-tuloy ang case build-up sa kanila (They should not think that they are off the hook ones they retire. It does not go that way. Monitoring will continue, case build-ups on them will continue). The long arm of the law is bound to get them,” Abalos warned.

“Our justice system is founded upon the principle that we protect the innocent and make sure that only the guilty are punished. That is our solemn duty, and we will not rest until this is carried out,” Abalos continued. (Chito A. Chavez)