PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr., on Friday called on all his 3rd Level Officers to support him in his desire to cleanse the 227,000-strong organization of misfits and scalawags specifically those involved in illegal drugs, while going all out to keep peace and order in the country through their stepped-up war on all forms of criminality and terror.

“I would like to begin 2023 with thankful acknowledgement of all for your strong support since I assumed command as Chief PNP. With this, I would like to join you and the entire Philippine National Police in expressing our deep gratitude to the Good Lord above for all the blessing and even challenges of 2022 which helped bring us to where we are now,” the top cop told his officials during the traditional New Year’s Call to the PNP chief.

The New Year’s Call on the PNP chief, held on the 1st Friday the 13th of 2023, was attended by members of the PNP Command Group, the different Directorial Staff, the 17 Police Regional Office directors, the different directors of the National Operational and Administrative Support Units and their respective command groups and spouses.

It took place at the same time that Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos Jr. was holding a press conference at the PNP Star-Lounge in Camp Crame, where he announced that around 95 percent of the 954 star-rank officers and full-fledged colonels in the police force have already filed their courtesy resignation to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. following his and Azurin’s appeal last week.

Azurin told his officials that President Marcos Jr. has expressed his full support to the PNP’s plans and programs this year after the organization completed a colorful and eventful 2022, highlighted by the peaceful conduct of the May national and local elections.

“It was the year that we took a more tenacious and forceful stance against crime, illegal drugs and corruption. It was a year of great unity and progress,” Azurin said as he also expressed full support to Abalos’ effort to thoroughly cleanse the police force of officers involved in illegal drug activities.

Azurin said they are looking forward with confidence and optimism that the PNP is now better prepared, equipped and more confident to face the challenges that 2023 may bring. The top PNP official underscored the fact that they have greatly improved their “move, shoot, communicate and investigate capabilities” to ensure that all police functions are carried out efficiently and effectively.

“It will be a busy year for us. As I have said during our first command conference, we will focus our efforts more on cybercrimes. We will continue to be relentless, especially in conducting countermeasures on crimes committed in cyberspace. Thus, I call for everyone’s cooperation especially our cybercops to intensify our cyber patrolling on social media and other online platforms,” the PNP chief said.

He added that the PNP’s campaign against illegal drugs is also gaining traction through the BIDA program of Abalos. “I firmly believe that this is the right formula to once and for all eradicate this plague,” Azurin said.

He also maintained that through the strengthened Armed Forces of the Philippines-PNP inter-operability and mutual cooperation which led to the adoption of joint measures and policies in addressing the internal security in the country, their campaign against terrorism and insurgency will be gaining more positive results with the continuous surrender of former New People’s Army rebels and seizure of loose firearms and other terrorist paraphernalia.

Azurin assured the country that the police will continue to be on the front lines of the government’s peace and order campaign with increased presence and patrol operations across the land.

He also assured the faster delivery of police services such as the registration and licensing of firearms, issuance of police clearances and even the processing of pensions and other benefits for police retirees and policemen wounded in the line of duty.

“And while we will do everything possible to keep order and peace in our streets and communities, I will make certain that everything is in order at home as well,” Azurin said.

“Discipline must prevail at all levels of the PNP organization. As a testimony to this and by submitting our courtesy resignations, we fully support SILG Abalos’ call for cleansing the police force. Illegal drug users, pushers, dealers, protectors will have no place among us,” he vowed.