PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s July 25 announcement that the courtesy resignations of 18 senior police officers had been accepted was like thunder out of a clear blue sky. Yet, it's been nearly seven months since Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin 'Benhur' Abalos 'asked' police generals and police colonels to hand in their courtesy resignations to give the government a free hand to investigate the organization for drug ties.

Eighteen out of 900-plus senior officers may not seem like a lot, but of course, it's 18 too many. And as far as Cebu is concerned, at least seven of the 18 names ring a bell. To start from the top, with the three generals: BGens. Remus Medina, Randy Peralta and Pablo Labra 2nd.