Police General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, PNP Chief, had lauded the effectiveness of the organization’s internal disciplinary mechanism, citing its pivotal role in upholding integrity and accountability within the ranks.
The official PNP data for 2024 released on January 26, 2025, reveals significant strides in addressing misconduct, with 5,457 PNP personnel facing administrative charges in 3,751 cases.
Out of the charged personnel, Gen. Marbil said 2,765 were meted penalties, while 2,692 were exonerated. Among those penalized, 1,112 received suspensions, one of who was a Colonel, 19 Lieutenant Colonels, 29 Majors, 30 Captains, and 22 Lieutenants. Additionally, 903 officers were dismissed from the service for various offenses. These include five Lieutenant Colonels, six Majors, 12 Captains, and five Lieutenants. Other penalties imposed included demotion (108), forfeiture of salary (103), reprimand (423), restriction (82), and withholding of privileges (34).
“These figures demonstrate the unstinting commitment of the PNP leadership to cleanse its ranks of bad eggs while strictly adhering to due process. Our efforts reflect the PNP’s resolve to ensure accountability and maintain the trust of the Filipino people,” Marbil said.
Only recently, Gen. Marbil placed under restrictive custody 20 police officers still on active duty who were charged over the multi-Billion drug bust in Manila in late 2022.
Of the 30 accused of involvement in the seizure of Php6.7 Billion worth of shabu in Tondo, two have retired, three have availed of optional retirement, one has resigned from the service, and two has been dismissed. These facts negate any impression of a “conspiracy” to conceal misdemeanors in PNP.
At the core of the PNP’s internal reform agenda is the Internal Disciplinary Mechanism (IDM), a policy institutionalized through PNP Command Memorandum Circular No. 20-2020. This framework adopts a holistic, three-point approach, namely: Preventive Approach that focuses on proactive measures designed to deter misconduct before it arises; Punitive Approach, often referred to as the “iron hand” of the policy which ensures that erring personnel are held accountable through the imposition of appropriate sanctions; and lastly, the Restorative Approach, or the “soft hand,” which is aimed to rehabilitate penalized personnel while restoring the morale and dignity of exonerated officers through moral recovery programs, seminars, and reintegration activities.
PNP has also implemented measures to expedite case resolution, including the Zero-Backlog Program, which adheres to the 110-day resolution timeframe prescribed by NAPOLCOM Memorandum Circular No. 2016-002. In 2024 alone, 1,663 personnel have undergone seminars on disciplinary policies, enhancing their capacity to handle administrative cases with efficiency and procedural precision.
“PNP remains steadfast in its commitment to internal cleansing and organizational excellence. These efforts not only strengthen our institution but also reaffirm our dedication to serving and protecting the Filipino people with honor and integrity,” the top cop stressed.
