Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., said that 985 personnel have been dismissed from the service in its intensified cleansing program from July 2023 to 3 January this year.

In an interview on Thursday afternoon at Camp Crame, Acorda said that 3,932 errant PNP personnel were meted with disciplinary sanctions for administrative offenses and involvement in irregularities proving that the police force is relentless in its internal cleansing efforts under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administration.

Of the 985 who were dismissed from the service, 65 cops were positive for using illegal drugs while 43 cops were involved in illegal drugs.

“With regard to the percentage, it’s 0.25 percent of the overall police force. Cops dismissed from the service are not entitled to benefits,” Acorda said.

Internal cleansing efforts, he pointed out, continued with a greater focus on ridding the organization of undesirable personnel who do not conform to the norms of discipline and proper conduct.

The penalties range from withholding of privileges to dismissal from the service due to administrative cases as a direct result of the violation of PNP rules and regulations, or involvement in criminal activities.

The figure includes 230 who were demoted in rank (10 cops were involved in illegal drugs); 1,701 who was suspended (60 involved in illegal drugs); 694 who were reprimanded (three were involved in illegal drugs); 134 who were meted with salary forfeiture; 79 who were restricted to quarters and 109 who were denied privileges.

He added the PNP is still focusing on its campaign against illegal drugs for 2024 after President Marcos commended the PNP on the campaign against illegal drugs.

Acorda also ordered an aggressive campaign on the supply and demand reduction of illegal drugs.