PNP also has good cops - Lacson

Not all "eggs" in the Philippine National Police's (PNP) basket are bad.

Since embarking on a moral recovery program last year, the PNP has awarded medals to 56,512 policemen for meritorious accomplishments.

PNP chief Deputy Director Panfilo Lacson said the awards were given since last November when he started his campaign to rid the country's police force of misfits and undesirables.

Aside from the medals, promotions were also given to 6,586 officers for their sterling performances in the line of duty.

Those who went one rank higher included the late SPO2 Niolie Libuit and PO1 Jerry Abuan who were promoted by President Estrada during the recent 9th PNP Day rites at Camp Crame.

Libuit and Abuan were killed in separate encounters with armed robbers last month.

Also among those promoted were 73 chief inspectors, 316 senior inspectors, 187 inspectors, 1,263 senior police officers 4 (SPO4), 1,123 senior police officers 3 (SPO3), 527 police officers 3 (PO3) and 3,097 police officers 2 (PO2).

On the other hand, from January to December last year, 2,816 policemen were penalized for various offenses.

PNP spokesman Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome said that these policemen were found guilty of offenses ranging from grave misconduct to neglect of duty.

On top of the said number, a total of 148 policemen are now undergoing summary dismissal proceedings for alleged involvement in mulcting activities.