PNP denies mass resignation

CEBU, Philippines — No police officer has resigned in protest of the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippine National Police said yesterday and vowed to hold responsible the people who are spreading fake news about the organization.

Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, spokesperson for the PNP, said the Anti-Cybercrime Group is documenting social media posts that claim there is dissension within police ranks.

Fajardo dismissed reports that officers are resigning en masse due to Duterte’s arrest last Tuesday.

”Yan ang napakalaking fake news na may mga active na police officers na nag-resign,” she said in an interview over dzBB.

One of the false claims circulating on Facebook features a policewoman in a Presidential Security Group (PSG) and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) uniform, allegedly saying she had resigned in protest. The post, attributed to an account named “Jing Jing,” stated that wearing the badge under Duterte’s administration was the highlight of her career.

However, an investigation revealed that the woman had already resigned in 2024 and moved to Australia with her husband, who was also a former police officer.

Another misleading post involved a policeman in a PSG uniform, claiming he was also leaving the PNP.

“Tayo ay nakipag-ugnayan sa PSC (Presidential Security Command) at napag-alaman natin na ito ay matagal nang discharged sa serbisyo. Ito ay nag-AWOL (absent without leave),” Fajardo said.

The investigation, Fajardo said, showed there is a  concerted effort by certain people to sow division among the members of the PNP after Duterte was arrested and brought to The Hague in the Netherlands to face trial for crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court.

Fajardo criticized people who are taking advantage of Duterte’s arrest to spread intrigue at the expense of the PNP which is just following orders of duly-constituted authorities.

She pointed out the PNP assisted the Philippine Center for Transnational Crime in implementing a red notice alert on Duterte issued by the International Criminal Police Organization or Interpol.

PRO7, VISCOM DENY RESIGNATIONS

In Central Visayas, the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 assured the public that no police officers in the region have resigned following Duterte’s arrest.

In an official statement, PBGen. Redrico Maranan, PRO-7 regional director, stressed the professionalism and dedication of law enforcement personnel in the region.

Maranan said records from the Regional Personnel and Records Management Division indicate that no resignation letters have been submitted by officers from various police units and stations within PRO-7.

Further, an investigation by the Anti-Cybercrime Group confirmed that social media posts about mass police resignations were false and originated from a civilian social media user.

“Our absolute loyalty is to the Constitution, the flag, the country, and the people,” Maranan said.

He reminded police officers to remain vigilant and to serve the community with integrity and professionalism.

Meanwhile, the Visayas Command (VISCOM) also reported that it has not received any resignation reports from its personnel.

“VISCOM, as a member of the AFP, remains a professional and non-partisan organization committed to our constitutional mandate. We uphold the rule of law and adhere to the chain of command,” said VISCOM Army Information Officer Lieutenant Colonel Israel Galorio.

Galorio added that their personnel remain focused on their sworn duty of ensuring the safety and security of the people in the Visayas region. – Reports from Philippine Star News Service/ATO