A total of 131 policemen were dismissed from the service nationwide for failure to attend court hearings that led to the dismissal of illegal drugs charges, a police official disclosed on Wednesday.

Director General Jesus Verzosa, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said the removal of the 131 erring cops from the police roster should serve as a warning to other policemen to fulfill their obligation of not only busting illegal drugs syndicate but ensuring that those arrested would stay in jail.

“Court duty is a paramount duty of all police personnel and must be given due importance, ” Verzosa earlier said, stressing that the policeman’s job does not end in arresting suspects but also involves the job of making sure that those they arrested will be convicted.

This brings to 138 the total number of dismissed policemen since Verzosa ordered early this year a thorough investigation on allegations that some policemen, who are in cahoots with some drugs syndicates, deliberately snub court hearing.

Seven policemen were earlier kicked out of the police service while 131 more were dismissed from April 13 July 31 this year.

Verzosa said 39 other erring police personnel were demoted in rank and 81 more were suspended for similar administrative offenses also from April 13 to July 31 period.

While most of those investigated for administrative case of neglect of duty for failure to attend court hearing of drug-related cases, some, however, were exonerated for giving justifiable reasons.

Senior Supt. Leonardo Espina, PNP spokesman, said those charged and found guilty of neglect of duty are separate from the criminal cases that could still be filed against the erring cops.

“We are confident that such disciplinary measures will further improve our operational strategies in the campaign against illegal drugs,” said Espina.