Police chaplains submit courtesy resignation

PNP-Chaplain Service director, Brig. Gen. Msgr. Jason Ortizo, led the filing of the courtesy of resignation of their third-level officers. (File photo: Jason Ortizo/Facebook)

MANILA – Officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Chaplain Service in various parts of the country have joined other ranking police officers in filing their courtesy resignations to support internal cleansing efforts among their ranks.

PNP-Chaplain Service director, Brig. Gen. Msgr. Jason Ortizo, led the filing of the courtesy of resignation of their third-level officers.

“There are three of us in the command group, also three division heads, including the regions. More or less nine or 11 of us whom I believe in this time have also submitted their courtesy resignation,” he said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas on Thursday.

The Catholic priest noted that they fully support the call of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos as the first step to solving the problem on illegal drugs within the agency.

“Our office really wholeheartedly supports the call for the internal cleansing campaign, especially now with the challenge and appeal of DILG (Secretary Benhur Abalos) regarding the voluntary courtesy resignation of colonels and generals, of course, this is in line with the PNP’s battle against illegal drugs,” Ortizo added.

He also assured the support and participation of their office in various programs and measures to completely clean the ranks of the PNP.

“We are also happy because this is part of cleansing the organization which is also the ultimate goal of our office, so we are here to help in the internal cleansing campaign of the PNP, we are really united with the DILG and our Chief PNP in this challenge with regards to the call (to pass a courtesy resignation),” he added.

Ortizo is hoping that the ongoing investigation will determine those who are involved in illegal drug operations.

“After the assessment and you really have no involvement, you will be cleared, I also tell our officers not to worry although there are fears because of human factors. If your conscience is clear that you have no involvement in illegal drugs, you will be acquitted,” he added.

On Thursday, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said around 88 percent of the force’s 956 generals and colonels have already submitted their courtesy resignations.