TACLOBAN CITY (PIA) -- Some 21 third level police officers in Eastern Visayas including Police Brigadier General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, regional director of the Police Regional Office 8, have tendered their courtesy resignation heeding the call of Secretary Benjamen Abalos Jr. of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The move is part of the government’s efforts to ditch high-ranking officials who are allegedly involved in illegal drug activities.

In a press conference held Tuesday, January 10 at the Matapat Hall, Camp Kangleon in Palo, Leyte, Brigadier General Marbil expressed his support of this move by encouraging high-ranking officials in the region from full-fledged colonels to general of PRO-8 to submit their respective courtesy resignations.

Marbil even led this move in the PRO-8 by tendering his courtesy resignation on January 5, 2023.

Marbil considered this as a great challenge for the uniformed service and an opportunity to speed up the internal cleansing process.

He also believes that the PNP will emerge as a stronger organization and will win back the trust and confidence of the people.

He likewise made some clarifications to those who submitted their courtesy resignation that they will remain in their posts until proven by the investigating committee that they are really involved in any illegal drug activities.

He assured them not to be afraid as due process will be afforded to them.

“Hindi po kami matatanggal sa posisyon namin, we just filed our courtesy resignation for them to evaluate us. So, kung kami involved talaga, hindi lang kami matatanggal sa posisyon pati sa pagiging pulis namin,” Marbil said.

A five-man committee in the national headquarters is reportedly being tasked to review and validate the reports and records of the police officers.

During the press conference, Marbil also signed an affidavit in front of police officers and the local media attesting that he is not involved in any form of illegal drug activity and not receiving any money or benefit from illegal drug personalities and that the third level police officers in the region are not involved in any form of illegal drug activities.

PRO-8 has two brigadier generals and 19 colonels.

Region VIII has a total of 10,535 police officers assigned at the regional headquarters and in the provinces and municipalities. (MMP/CBA/PIA-8)