The committee tasked to evaluate the courtesy resignation of more than 900 police colonels and generals convened for the first time on Monday, Feb. 13, at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
Present during the meeting were Azurin, retired police general and now Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, former justice Melchor Sadanga and Undersecretary Isagani Nerez. Former Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro was not present reportedly due to prior commitment.
PNP chief information officer Col. Redrico Maranan said the Committee of Five discussed rigorously the guidelines and procedures on how to go about the evaluation process of the 3rd level officers.
"In the same way, the internal rules on how the procedures of the Advisory group will be governed was among the topics clarified and clearly laid out," said Maranan.
The creation of the Committee of Five was based on the appeal of Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos for all the third level officers of the PNP, or those with the ranks from full colonel to general, to submit courtesy resignation as part of the measures to purge the PNP of policemen involved in illegal drugs amid the allegations of resurgence of ninja cops, or those who are recycling illegal drugs.
Those whose courtesy resignation would be accepted would be forced to resign.
Maranan said members assured the public that all the proceedings to be undertaken shall be in accordance with the spirit of applicable laws.
"All the documentations needed are prepared and that the formal evaluation process will set about in the next meeting," said Maranan.