Cagayan police chief, 18 file courtesy resignations

By Vince Jacob Visaya

TUGUEGARAO CITY -- The Cagayan Valley acting regional police director and 18 police colonels submitted their courtesy resignation to show their support for the government's call to weed out misfits in the institution.
    Acting regional director Brig. Gen. Percival Rumbaoa said he and 18 colonels, all provincial police heads and division chiefs, filed their courtesy resignation and submitted themselves to investigation process that will be initiated by a five-member committee.
    Rumbaoa said he was confident that no one among the higher ranks or among the rank and file is involved in the illegal drug trade.
    The move came after they heeded the call of Interior Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. to submit their courtesy resignation.
    The regional police head said the action will pave the way for all police officials with the ranks of colonels and generals under the regional command to clear their names and prove that they are supporting the internal cleansing program and transformation of the police organization.
    "We supported the move and the appeal of the secretary of DILG to render a courtesy resignation. All of us in PRO2 starting from me down to other colonels signed our respective courtesy resignation and sent it to Camp Crame," he said, bucking any protests from police officials.
    Despite their courtesy resignation, police officials continued to perform their tasks and their day-to-day duties were not hampered, he added.
    "It should not be the cause of dysfunction and demoralization among police officers," he added.
    Rumbaoa said that random drug testing have been implemented covering police members.