ON Sunday, two police generals who said they read this reporter’s column on People’s Journal entitled ‘Why PBBM needs to appoint PNP Chief now?’ told me they are 100 percent sure that Lieutenant General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. will be it.

“The President will make his decision formally announced by his spokesperson tomorrow,” one of the two star-rank officials said. He really was serious with his words as early morning Monday, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles formally announced that President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. has picked Lt. Gen. Azurin as his 1st PNP chief.

Highly-reliable Journal Group sources said they already knew that Lt. Gen. Azurin, a member of the Philippine Military Academy ‘Makatao’ Class of 1989 will be a ‘very strong contender’ for the top PNP post in the event BBM wins the presidency.

“He has all the qualifications, the competence, track record and service reputation and most important of them all, the President’s full trust and confidence to head the police organization,” another official said.

WHO IS LT. GEN. AZURIN?

The 28th PNP chief, in previous talks with the Journal Group however said he believes in the thing called ‘destiny’ and would leave his fate to the Lord Almighty each time the race for the top PNP post was mentioned.

The unassuming and gentle officer was born in Paniqui, Tarlac just like the incoming 58th chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente O. Bacarro of PMA ‘Maringal’ Class of 1988.

However, he was raised in La Trinidad, Benguet. Born on April 24, 1967.

Lt. Gen. Azurin is married to the former Mary Grace Lino and has three children: Martin, Ninna, and Aaron.

A former PNP chief, retired General Nicanor A. Bartolome of PMA ‘Mapitagan’ Class of 1980 is one of the many officials who knew Azurin since his younger days.

“I knew him as a visionary, a well-rounded officer whom was with me during our Parang, Maguindanao days,” said Bartolome who used to be a platoon leader of the famed 54th Philippine Constabulary Battalion in Maguindanao.

The well-respected former top cop said Azurin was a young Constabulary 2nd Lieutenant when he joined him in Parang.

“I know him as a well-rounded officer who really performed well during his junior officer days. I think he was with the PC Special Action Company during those years. Noon pa lang, nakikitaan ko na may magandang career ahead of him ang taong it. Hindi reklamador, whatever task is assigned to him, nagpe-perform siya. A very professional officer, walang hangin sa ulo,” Bartolome said.

The chief of the police force from September 9, 2011 to December 17, 2012 said the young Azurin’s service reputation prompted him to ask the latter to join him when he got his 1st-star.

“He became one of my staff when I became the director of the Police-Community Relations Group, then I brought him along with me when I commanded the Police Regional Office 4-A, the National Capital Region Police Office and later, when I became the Chief,PNP.

“Very professional siya magtrabaho. Noon pa lang nakita ko na me future ang batang ito. Because of his aptitude and attitude sa service, natanim sa isip ko na magaling siya kaya during my senior years, kinuha ko na siya,” Bartolome said.

Lt. Gen. Azurin was among the several candidates for the top PNP post prior to the Malacañang announcement. Others are PNP Officer-in-Charge, Lt. Gen. Vicente D. Danao Jr., of PMA ‘Sambisig’ Class of 1991 and Azurin’s PMA classmates, PNP Deputy Chief for Administration, Lt. Gen. Rhodel O. Sermonia and PNP Director for Operations, Lt. Gen. Valeriano T. de Leon.

The law says that the President, as the Commander-in-Chief shall appoint the PNP chief from among a list prepared by the Napolcom of ‘the most senior and qualified officers in the service” given that the prospect appointee has not yet retired or within six months from their compulsory retirement age.

As this writer’s Sunday column said,” PBBM really has to appoint his 1st Chief,PNP now. Designating a permanent PNP chief would stop the ‘wait-and-see attitude’ by many officers holding key positions in the organization right now. PBBM’s 1st PNP chief would also help the 225,000-strong force finally settle down.”

Prayers answered, officials say with PBBM’s decision to pick Lt. Gen. Azurin as Chief,PNP. With his new position, Lt. Gen. Azurin will have the command and direction of the PNP; the power to direct and control tactical as well as strategic movements, deployment, placement, utilization of the PNP or any of its units and personnel, including its equipment, facilities and other resources.

The PNP Officers’ Corps has aired its full support to PBBM’s decision which many say will normalize the situation in the force which has proven its professionalism time and again when it comes to respecting the decision of the Commander-in-Chief.

“Under PLtGen. Azurin’s direction, we assure the public that our police force will sustain its momentum to carry out PNP’s mission and to deliver its mandate with utmost integrity, credibility and professionalism, all for safety and protection of our Filipino people,” said PNP Public Information Office chief, Brigadier Gen. Rhoderick Augustus B. Alba in a statement.

Many officials say that the good service reputation, the solid character and traits and the performance of the candidates from their Lieutenant, Captains and Major days and up will play a major role in their selection.

Other factors include loyalty to the country and the Constitution and of course, the dogged determination to carry out the tough task of being the Chief, PNP.