Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said 908 personnel have been penalized from Aug. 26, 2025 to April 15, 2026, in line with its zero-tolerance policy on misconduct.
According to Philippines News Agency, absence without official leave (AWOL) is the leading cause of dismissal with 118 cases, followed by other grave offenses (44) and robbery or extortion (33). Cases involving arbitrary detention, unlawful arrest, violation of domicile, and maltreatment of prisoners reached 24, while violations of Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 totaled 23.
Of the total, 326 personnel were dismissed from service, including 32 Police Commissioned Officers, 289 Police Non-Commissioned Officers, and five Non-Uniformed Personnel. Another 53 were demoted, 199 suspended, and 26 reprimanded, while 304 cases resulted in dismissal or exoneration after due process.
The PNP said other grave offenses ranged from murder, illegal discharge of firearms, and graft-related cases, to rape, kidnapping, and estafa. "All underwent administrative and legal processes before penalties were imposed," it said.
Drug-related offenses, meanwhile, accounted for 24 cases, including 13 personnel who tested positive for illegal drugs and 11 linked to drug activities. Other violations included breaches of Republic Act 11053 or Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 (12 cases), Republic Act 10591 Section 38 or planting of evidence (8), and Republic Act 9745 or Anti-Torture Act of 2009 (2).
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said these cases represent only a small fraction of the police force. "Ang nakararami sa ating mga pulis ay patuloy na naglilingkod nang may propesyonalismo, katapatan, at dedikasyon sa tungkulin (Majority of our police officers continue to serve with professionalism, honesty, and dedication to duty)," he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, a fire volunteer has filed an administrative complaint against two police officers from the Manila Police District before the National Police Commission (Napolcom) for alleged obstruction, harassment, and intimidation during a fire response in Tondo.
In a sworn statement, the complainant said their team responded to a fire incident in Barangay 121 on April 15. He alleged that a motorcycle driven by a police officer blocked their firetruck along Mata and Capulong Streets, forcing it to stop and reverse. "Despite this, he got out and blocked our car; in my observation, he seemed to be under the influence of alcohol. He rammed the firetruck, cursed, pointed at me, and identified himself as a police officer, while acting as if he was going to pull a gun," Del Rosario's sworn statement read, based on a Napolcom report.
An April 16 meeting reportedly led to a written apology from the officer. However, the complainant alleged that the officer's brother, also a policeman, later sought the names of the fire volunteers involved. "This is where I started to fear for my security with their questioning of our names; that the two brothers, who are both policemen, harassed the Barangay staff to write our names," the statement read. The complaints are for Grave Misconduct and Conduct Unbecoming of a Police Officer.
