MANILA - The sacking of the entire Caloocan police force amid questions over the killing of several teenagers shows that the Philippine National Police (PNP) is committed to cleanse its ranks of "scalawagas," Malacañang said Sunday.

In a statement, Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the PNP continues efforts to instill discipline among its personnel amid controversies currently facing the police.

"The official relief of the Caloocan City Police Station personnel over the weekend and their retraining, which will start tomorrow, demonstrate the firm commitment of the Philippine National Police to continuously cleanse its ranks of misfits and scalawags," said Abella.

Members of the Caloocan police were tagged in killing of teenagers Kian Delos Santos, Carl Angelo Arnaiz and Reynaldo "Kulot" De Guzman.

Several Caloocan policemen were also involved in a robbery incident during a police operation last September 7, which was caught by a CCTV camera in the area.