The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) vowed Monday to cleanse the Philippine National Police of corrupt officers after eight policemen were relieved of duty for allegedly extorting money from two Chinese nationals.

This, as DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla expressed his belief that the vast majority of PNP officers are good and competent, and that those who tarnish the force’s image must be held accountable in court.

“Ninety-nine percent of the PNP are good and excellent. Those involved in the incident were only rogue cops,” Remulla told reporters, referring to the officers involved in the alleged 2 April incident in Las Piñas City.

Remulla, who chairs the National Police Commission, acknowledged a backlog of about 1,600 cases involving police officers accused of various offenses. He said the commission resolves an average of 39 cases a month and pledged to clear the backlog this year.

P/Brig. Gen. Rogelio Penones Jr., acting deputy regional director for administration of the National Capital Region Police Office, dismissed as unbelievable the relieved officers’ claim that the two Chinese nationals they arrested offered them a P14 million bribe.

“The warrant of arrest (they got for the suspect) is bailable of only P200,000,” Penones explained, referring to the officers’ alibi.