886 Police personnel promoted in Bicol while PRO 8 cleans ranks of scalawags

Photo courtesy of PNP-PRO5

LEGAZPI CITY – Some 886 uniformed personnel of the Bicol Police Regional Office 5 have been promoted to the next higher rank, while 70 administrative cases against PRO 13 (Caraga) personnel to cleanse its ranks.

The Bicol Police officers received their new ranks during an oath-taking and pinning of rank ceremony on Thursday in front of the PRO-5 Grandstand at Camp Brig. Gen. Simeon A. Ola here in Legazpi City.

PNP Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, PRO-5 regional director, reminded his men in his message during the rites, to uphold their duties with utmost responsibility, dedication, and maturity.

“Let us not forget that the public always watch us. Keep in mind that our accomplishments are as important as the way we have achieved them. That’s why I am reminding everyone that in everything you do, be it may in your work or personal life, always do the right thing and according to the rule of law,” Estomo said in Pilipino.

Estomo conveyed his congratulations to the promoted police personnel for their well-deserved promotion. “Most of all, don’t forget that we are police and public servants. The true measure of how effective we are is when we reach the expectation of our community that we serve. Once again, congratulations,” he stressed.

PNP Maj. Malou Calubaquib, PRO-5 spokesperson, said the promotion is part of the 2nd Level Regular Promotion Program and 4th quarter Police Lieutenant Colonel Continuous Promotion Program.

“This promotion is one of the effective ways to raise the morale and welfare of our members on their contributions to the realization of the organization’s goals,” she added.

Among the Police Commissioned Officers (PCOs) who got promoted, Calubaquib said, were two Lieutenant Colonels; 30 Majors; 29 Captains; and one Lieutenant.

in the Caraga, meanwhile, PRO 13 Regional Director, Brig Gen. Romeo Caramat, Jr. said the 70 administrative cases filed against police personnel involved in different offenses this year, are based on records provided by their Discipline, Law, and Order Section (DLOS).

“Of the 70 cases filed, 58 are considered solved with 32 personnel penalized,” Caramat said, adding that of those penalized, five were dismissed from the service, 10 were suspended, another 10 reprimanded, and seven either forfeited their salary, restricted to specified limits or demoted.

“Twenty-six police officers were also exonerated and absolved from their cases after due litigation,” he said.

Three of the five dismissed from the service, he pointed out, committed grave neglect of duty after they went on  absence without official leave (AWOL), one committed  homicide, and the other violated the provisions of  RA  9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 by using illegal drugs.

The report of the DLOS, he added, was based on data from the PNP Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division – 13, Regional Internal Affairs Service-13, and the lower units of PRO-13.

Caramat stressed that the dismissal of police officers involved in various offenses is necessary to help instill discipline in the PNP and in the fulfillment of the PNP’s role as public servants sworn to serve and protect.