GENERAL Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. yesterday officially retired as the 28th chief of the Philippine National Police with his head up high and having accomplished the mission given to him by President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. eight months ago.

In his farewell speech before a huge Camp Crame crowd led by President Marcos, the member of Philippine Military Academy ‘Makatao’ Class of 1989 expressed belief that the truth will come out in the seizure of 990 kilograms of shabu in Manila in October last year.

Also in attendance were Cabinet officials led by Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ C. Abalos Jr. and Gen. Azurin’s successor, Gen. Benjamin C. Acorda Jr., a member of PMA ‘Sambisig’ Class of 1991.

“Today, the PNP is again at a crossroads — whether to continue the status quo or pursue the move to purge the organization of scalawags.

“I received both praises and criticisms for pursuing the fight against illegal drugs which stemmed from the seizure of some 990 kilos of shabu in Manila last year. Hell broke loose while many tried to dip their fingers on the issue.

“The PNP is now under scrutiny-but I trust our Lord and our people that justice will be on our side once we have brought to justice those involved in the proliferation of drugs in our country. In a few days, more reports will come out and I hope my successor will be able to continue what we started and pursue this case,” Azurin said.

Gen. Acorda, the 29th PNP chief underscored his commitment to continue the massive anti-illegal drugs campaign started by Gen. Azurin.

“My stand on anti-illegal drugs is clear: No police should be involved in pushing, using or whatever means of illegal drug trade. You will be charged and removed from the service. This is my warning to each and every one of you. Our fight will be holistic in prevention and aggressive in operations,” Azurin emphasized.

On the day he marked his 56th birthday, Gen. Azurin waxed sentimental as he said that his journey for the past 38 years since graduating from Fort del Pilar has not been easy.

“There were many challenges since my deployment on 1989 in 1st Special Action Company in Parang, Maguindanao. My stint in the now defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force, Highway Patrol group, the Office of the Comptrollership, Regional Director of Ilocos region, provincial director of Benguet Police Provincial Office and so on molded me into what I am today,” he said.

“My experiences made me strong yet discerning. I saw opportunities during times of challenges and hope in every situation. I can say I always see the glass as half-full.

“While many portrayed me as a meek individual, little did they know the real me, an action man-decisive, strong and results-oriented,” he said.

Gen. Azurin thanked his wife Gaykee and their three children, his parents and siblings and mistahs and a select number of trusted friends whom he said never lost their trust and confidence in him.

“While I battle the odds to serve the PNP and the country, I have never lost hope that our Almighty God will help me carry on,” he said.

TRUE MARCOS ALLY

Gen. Azurin thanked President Marcos Jr. for his trust and confidence on him even as he paid tribute to his parents and an uncle, an aide-de-camp to the late strongman Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. who never left the Marcos family after they were exiled in 1986..

“I believe my strong character and unwavering commitment to serve our country and the Filipino people can be rooted on how my uncle, Captain Ramon Azurin exhibited undivided loyalty to the late Apo President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.,” he said.

“This is why I have served the present administration with the same fervor and patriotism,” he added.

Gen. Azurin recalled his meeting with PBBM and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos when they congratulated him shortly after he assumed the top PNP post in August last year.

“ I can say I remained true to my promise to ensure peace and order and stability while President Marcos marked his first year in office,” he said.

Gen. Azurin also thanked his counterparts from the Armed Forces and the uniformed services, the President’s sister, Senator Imee Marcos, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Director General Ricardo F. de Leon, retired Police Brigadier Gen. Roman ‘Popong’ Felix and all the goods senators and congressmen around.

He also did not mince any words in paying honor to former PNP chiefs whom he had served before saying he learned from them virtues of leadership and character.

He mentioned the late Gen. Raul S. Imperial; Gen. Panfilo M. Lacson, Gen. Jesus A. Verzosa; and Gen. Nicanor A. Bartolome.

The former PNP chief at the same time thanked four other members of the 5-Man Committee namely Baguio City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, former Defense Secretary Gilbert C. Teodoro; Office of the Presidential adviser on Military and Police Affairs, Undersecretary Isagani R. Nerez and retired Court of Appeals Association Justice Melchor Q. Sadang for their contribution in resolving the issues that affect the police force.

Lastly, he commended Major Gen. Eliseo DC Cruz, the head of the Special Investigation Task Group 990 whom he said deserve more than a pack on the back.

He also thanked former PNP Deputy Chief for Operations Lieutenant Gen. Benjamin D. Santos Jr. and Maj. Gen. Arthur V. Bisnar for providing the intelligence and for guiding the Directorial Staff well during their incumbency.

CHALLENGINGTHE STATUS QUO

Gen. Azurin said that his working principle has always ‘beet to challenge the status quo.” This he said, paved the way for the Kasimbayanan or Malasaki, Kaayusan, Kapayapaan Tungo Sa Kaunlaran program,

“The aggressive fight against criminals led up to an improved peace and order and stability in the country. Our law enforcers focused on going after high-value targets, especially in the anti-drug campaign,” he said.

The newly-retired top cop said their aggressive fight against criminals led up to an improved peace and order and stability in the country. He told President Marcos that since August 2022, crime volume decreased by 9,038 prompting him to express belief that this decline directly or indirectly contributed to the economic growth of the country.

He said the latest data from Trading Economics showed that the inflation rate in the country went down from 8.6 percent in February 2023 to 7.6 percent last March.

“Our law enforcers focused on going after high-value targets, especially in the anti-drug campaign. There were also no reports of destabilization in the President’s first eight months in office, a feat in itself,” he said.

Gen. Azurin likewise said that he unmasked the syndicates in the PNP that damage its reputation as a ‘money strategy.’ Tapakan mo yung buntot, makikilta mo yung ulo,” he said.

“Under the your administration Mr. President, we assure you that in our war on drugs, we will not name names or accuse anyone without sufficient evidence and cases filed against those who are involved,” he said.

“We promptly responded to allegations of high-ranking officers’ involvement in drugs by filing our courtesy resignations along with other colonels and generals.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon