QUEZON CITY, (PIA) --The internal cleansing program of the Philippine National Police (PNP) continued with greater focus to purge the organization of undesirable personnel who do not conform with the norms of discipline and proper conduct, Police General Rodolfo S Azurin Jr stated recently.

Based on the report of PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM), Azurin disclosed that during the year, 2,635 errant PNP personnel were meted penalties ranging from withholding of privileges to dismissal from the service due to administrative cases as a direct result of violation of PNP rules and regulations, or involvement in criminal activities.

Azurin said this hardline stance of the PNP against breach of discipline and misconduct within the ranks is the most prominent manifestation of our genuine responsiveness and commitment to reform the organization and enable it to absorb further development and modernization.

Among these 2,635 delinquent personnel, 584 were dismissed from the service, 164 were demoted in rank and 1,225 were meted suspension terms. Another 456 were reprimanded, 117 were meted salary forfeiture penalties, 26 were restricted to quarters and 63 were denied privileges.

Further, those dismissed from the service were found administratively liable in 321 AWOL cases, 42 for drug use, 15 for failure to attend court duty, 20 for violence against women, and others for involvement in criminal cases for murder, homicide, carnapping, illegal drugs, robbery extortion and rape.

“I would like to point out the correlation of organizational reform and individual performance as benchmark factors to the accomplishment of unit mission. Through significant gains in the PNP internal reform program, PNP units fared well in performing our law enforcement and public safety mandate,” Azurin said.

According to the PNP Chief more notable improvement in the national crime environment was recorded throughout the 12 months of 2022 in comparison with 2021.

He said there was significant decrease in both index and non-index crime incidents as well as the eight focus crime categories and eight special complex crimes.

Among the eight focus crimes, incidents of carnapping of motor vehicle dropped sharply by 20.51% in 2022 while similar double-digit decrease in incidents of murder and homicide were recorded at 11.89% and 9.98%, respectively.

PNP units' intensified crime deterrent initiatives paid off as the Peace and Order Indicator (POI) covering the period January 1 to December 26, 2022 generally went down by 12.01% or 28,007 from 233,241 in 2021 compared to 205,234 for this year. POI decreased nationwide: in Luzon by 10.78% (13,774); Visayas by 6.46% (2,768); and Mindanao by 18.32% (11,465).

“The PNP is doing its best to address all public safety concerns to better improve law enforcement and public safety operations in the coming months. We also recognize that trust between law enforcement and the community is essential for a safe and prosperous society, and we strive to earn and maintain that trust and confidence every day,” Azurin added. (pnp/pia-ncr)