PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said he warned President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. about choosing his successor amid the administration’s continuous fight against illegal drugs.
Azurin is set to bow down from the police service on April 24, 2023.
In a press conference on Monday, April 17, 2023, Azurin said he spoke to Marcos and clarified the claim of a “massive cover-up” of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. on the October 8 drug operation in Manila City, which resulted in the arrest of Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr. and the seizure of 990 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) worth more than P6.7 billion.
Azurin said he explained to the President that there was no cover-up in the operation and that what happened was part of a strategic plan to get bigger fishes involved in the illegal drugs trade.
He said that while he recognized the accomplishments of the police amid the fight against illegal drugs, there is still more work to do in order to get to the roots of the problem.
He noted “a pattern of pilferage” of supposed confiscated shabu by erring police anti-narcotics agents.
Azurin said top police officials may end up being inadvertently dragged into the show being run by illegal drug syndicates with the help of their cohorts in the police organization.
He said he refused to attend on-site media presentations of recovered illegal drugs because he is aware, even before, of the modus of some erring cops wherein they would steal from confiscated illegal drugs before they were declared and reported to higher authorities.
He cited a case when he was still the commander of the Area Police Command-Northern Luzon, wherein he was invited to attend a photo opportunity showcasing drugs seized in a gas station.
According to Azurin, it was later discovered that the operation had yielded more than the initially reported 60 kilos of shabu.
“I-total mo yan (other drug operations) that's more than one ton, so ibig sabihin that's more than P6.7 billion at hindi pa nila makubinsi na mag-aappear, na makipag-picture-taking. That's why I have to warn even the President. 'Sir, be careful in selecting ‘yung papalit sa akin dahil nasorpresa ako nandoon si [Major General] Jonnel Estomo hindi ba,'” said Azurin.
(In total (other drug operations), that's more than one ton. This means that's more than P6.7 billion, and they still haven't convinced them to appear and join the picture-taking. That's why I have to warn even the President. "Sir, be careful in selecting my replacement because I was even surprised to find out that [Major General] Jonnel Estomo was there.)
“Paano kung sini-setup si Jonnel doon? How can he be an effective chief PNP now? So kaya nga sabi ko, nakita niyo ‘yung tentacles ng criminal [group], ng sindikato. They have the temerity to invite you and present, hindi ba? We have to know the story, lahat ng drugs na nakukumpiska natin. We have to know the story. While it is very, siguro sabihin natin, na nakakatuwa na napapaligiran tayo ng napakaraming droga, pero kailangan alamin natin. Let's not be contented na may nahuli. Bakit ba nahuli? Paano ba nakarating?” he added.
(What if Jonnel was set up there? How can he be an effective chief PNP now? That's why I said, you saw the tentacles of the criminal group, the syndicate. They have the temerity to invite you and present, right? We have to know the story behind all the drugs that we confiscate. We have to know the story. While it's nice, perhaps, to be surrounded by so many drugs, we need to know. Let's not be content with just making arrests. Why were they arrested? How did they get there?)
Azurin was referring to the media presentation of the confiscated P4 billion worth of illegal drugs in Baguio City in March where Estomo, the current PNP deputy chief for operations, the third highest police official, was present along with Abalos.
Estomo was among the candidates for the PNP’s top post along with PNP deputy chief for administration Lieutenant General Rhodel Sermonia and Lieutenant General Michael John Dubria, the chief of the directorial staff.
Azurin said he is hoping that the next PNP chief would be tougher than he is, admitting that he is known as the top cop who does not have “asim” and “arrive.”
“Kailangan natin ‘yung nagle-level up pa. Hindi natin kailangan ‘yung wala siyang prinsipyo, wala siyang commitment sa Presidente. Let us not compromise the President. He is the only person we've got para iangat ang ekonomiya ng bansa natin na ito. Huwag natin walanghiyain ang Presidente natin,” he added.
(We need someone who can level up further. We don't need someone without principles or commitment to the President. Let us not compromise the President. He is the only person we've got to lift our country's economy. Let us not disrespect our President.) (SunStar Philippines)