The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday announced that a total of 1,828 of its personnel were summarily dismissed from service for various offenses as part of its continuing internal cleansing program.

In a statement the police said that PNP Chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde is committed to pursue the policy of organizational discipline and internal reform in the 190,000 police force that he started upon assuming his post two years ago, pursuant to the directives of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Earlier, President Duterte warned rogue cops that he would either “neutralize” or “terminate” them.

According to the PNP, the dismissed policemen were among 6,401 errant PNP personnel meted administrative penalties for various offenses ranging from involvement in criminal activity, grave misconduct, serious neglect of duty, involvement in criminal cases, serious irregularity, malversation, dishonesty and graft and corruption.

Also penalized were 3,589 personnel slapped with suspension terms, 362 with rank demotion, 403 reprimanded, 147 penalized with salary forfeiture, 43 with suspended privileges and 29 ordered restricted to quarters.

Aside from those penalized for administrative offenses, 498 more personnel were investigated for drug-related cases including 266 who tested positive for drug use and 232 for involvement in drug activity.

A total of 261 uniformed and non-uniformed personnel who tested positive for drug use were dismissed from the service, while 92 more were dismissed, 23 were suspended and nine demoted for involvement in drug activity

Even as this developed, Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go assured the PNP of Duterte’s full support, particularly its campaign to cleanse its ranks.

“You know the President fully trusts Gen. Albayalde’s leadership and how he disciplines the police,” said Go during the 25th PNP Health Service Anniversary in Camp Crame on Wednesday.

Noting that Duterte fulfilled his promise to double the salary of the police, Go also vowed improved facilities and services for the PNO General Hospital.

The internal cleansing program of the PNP also earned praise from Senator Panfilo Lacson.

“My take is, commendations are in order to the present PNP leadership in general and the NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office) in particular, for stepping up their drive against the rogues and criminals within their own ranks,” Lacson said.

However, Lacson called for a revamp in the recruitment process of new policemen, saying it should be directly handled by the PNP. That task is currently handled by the Philippine Public Safety College, which is under the Department of Interior and Local Government.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police Counter Intelligence Task Force (PNP-CITF) on Thursday filed criminal charges against three rogue policemen who preyed on junk shops in Valenzuela City before the Department of Justice National Prosecution Service (DOJ-NPS).

Charged for the crime of robbery were Valenzuela Police Community Precinct 8 Deputy Commander SPO4 Serafin Adante, PO1 Ryand Paul Antimaro, PO1 Rey Harvey Florano and civilian Amado Baldong Jr.