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Azurin to men: Follow rule of law but be ready to defend yourself from armed criminals

November 29, 2022 People's Tonight 276 views

AzurinPHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. has underscored anew the primordial duty of each and every member of the 226,000-strong force to strictly follow the rule of law but be ready to defend themselves when confronted by armed and defiant criminals.

The PNP chief also maintained that as much as possible, he doesn’t want any of his men to be lying in a coffin, shot to death by dangerous criminals they were trying to arrest and leaving their poor widows and kids.

Thus, he has ordered his men to draw their guns when their lives are really in danger. “My policy that I emphasized to every police officer is that we will not endanger their lives. We minimize the use of force in arresting drug suspects. But definitely, when they are in danger, they have to defend themselves,” he said.

He reiterated his policy amid the killing of two known drug traffickers in Davao City in separate gunfights with undercover officers in Southern Mindanao on Wednesday last week as well as the case of Staff Sergeant Rudy Amihan Jr. of the M’lang Municipal Police Station in Cotabato who was killed in a gunbattle with heavily-armed robbers on the same day.

Two other policemen identified as Patrolman Noli Labesores and Pat. Herzon Neyra were also wounded during the series of clashes which also left four of the suspects dead, said Police Regional Office 12 (PRO12) director, Brigadier Gen. Jimili L. Macaraeg.

“Sergeant Amihan died with his boots on, in the finest police tradition of valor, service and sacrifice to serve and protect the people,” Gen. Azurin said as he assured the speedy release of all benefits due to the to the family of the fallen cop.

At present, the PNP chief said the PNP has embarked on another strategy to address criminality specifically illegal drug trafficking and abuse.

“We aim to utilize a more holistic approach in combating crimes which would involve the church and the community through our Kasimbayanan program. The PNP however, cannot promise a zero casualty in its police operations, the safety of our personnel is also a priority,” he said.

“They need to defend themselves when attacked or the life of innocent civilian are on the line but with the strict observance of human rights at all times. We are keen on observing different approaches on our anti-crime campaign to minimize, if not avoid, armed confrontations in our police operations,” Gen. Azurin added.

The top cop likewise maintained that the recent conviction of a policeman for a 2017 torture and murder case in Caloocan City should serve as a lesson to all members of the force that no one is above the law in a country where respect for human rights remain a high priority.

“The Philippine National Police remains steadfast in our sworn duty to uphold and respect human rights in all aspects of police operations in fighting criminality,” the PNP chief said as he underscored the organization’s full respect to a court decision to convict a Caloocan City cop for the August 2017 cases.

“The PNP never ceased to keep track of this case since the early stages of investigation until its successful prosecution. We respect the decision of the Regional Trial Court, Caloocan City finding the accused Jefrey Perez guilty of the charges filed against him for the deaths of Carl Angelo Arnaiz and Reynaldo De Guzman in August 2017,” he said.

Police Officer Jefrey Perez was dismissed from the service on October 4, 2018, said the PNP chief while adding that the firing of the erring cop from the service is a manifestation that the PNP does not tolerate wrongdoings committed within its own ranks and is fully committed in the implementation of its internal cleansing program.

“The decision was a result of a fair full-blown trial hence, we believe that the accused was given his day in court to present his side. Nevertheless, any acts committed by erring personnel does not reflect the views of the whole PNP organization. The PNP has always maintained its stance to uphold the rule of law in all its undertakings,” Gen. Azurin added.

He however said that the police must be ready to defend themselves from armed and defiant criminals once they are fired upon.

Officials cited the case of two known drug traffickers in Davao City who were killed in separate gunfights with undercover officers on Wednesday last week.

There is also the case of SSgt. Amihan who was killed in a gunbattle with heavily-armed robbers on the same day. Two other policemen identified as Patrolman Noli Labesores and Pat. Herzon Neyra were also wounded during the series of clashes which also left four of the suspects dead, said Brig. Gen. Macaraeg.

In Southern Mindanao, PRO11 director, Brig. Gen. Benjamin H. Silo Jr. said that one of the suspects identified as Roberto Cuamag alias ‘Bobet,’27, was killed while his cohort John Greco Aboymen alias ‘Gook,’23, was arrested in an anti-narcotics operation in Barangay 21-C, Davao City 5:48 a.m. last November 23.

The official said that recovered from the suspects were some four grams of shabu valued at P27,200 and nearly 2,400 worth of dried marijuana leaves.

Brig. Gen. Silo said the two suspects who were described as ‘small-level individuals’ conspired to sell drugs to an undercover officer of the Davao City Police Station 1 Drug Enforcement Unit headed by Lieutenant Colonel Ronaldo Lao.

However, Cuamag apparently sensed they were dealing with a cop and escaped inside their house at Block 91 in Purok 91 where he later fired shots at pursuing officers triggering the shootout.

The suspect who yielded a caliber .38 revolver with two live ammunition and three spent cartridges was hit in the body and taken to the Southern Philippines Medical Center where an attending physician declared him dead upon arrival. His cohort was arrested and is now facing charges for sale and possession of prohibited drugs under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Brig. Gen. Silo said the duo were also believed to be involved in a string of robbery-holdup cases in the city.

The 2nd suspect identified as John Carlo Telleros died after exchanging shots with Davao City Police Station 15 officers led by Lt. Alfree Jay Caminade along Curadang Street in Lanzona Subdivision in Matina Aplaya past 11 p.m. last November 22

The suspect yielded an estimated P13,000 worth of shabu and marijuana, a marked P500 bill and a cal. .38 pistol with two spent cartridges.

Brig. Gen. Silo said that a 4th suspect identified as Teddy Castañeda, another ‘high-value target’ in Southern Mindanao was arrested during a buy-bust operation in

Purok 7, Roman Diaz Extension in Calinan District past 8 p.m. of the same day.

Officers confiscated an estimated P15,000 worth of shabu from the 48-year old suspect who is now also facing non-bailable charges for violation of RA 9165.

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