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Time for unity in PNP now that PBBM has spoken

August 2, 2022 Alfred P. Dalizon 475 views

Alfred DalizonNOW that PBBM has chosen Lieutenant General Jun Azurin to be his 1st Chief,PNP, I join everybody in calling on all concerned to unite and support the new top cop who will lead the force in maintaining peace and order under the new normal which continue to confront the Marcos administration.

It’s high time for officials to heal old wounds, settle previous differences and work in one page, speak in one voice as Lt. Gen. Azurin starts leading the 225,000-strong police force in ensuring the unhampered delivery of public safety service to the entire country.

For the record, many officials-active and retired- have told me that PBBM really made a ‘very good choice’ when he picked Lt. Gen. Azurin, a member of Philippine Military Academy ‘Makatao’ Class of 1989 to be his 1st top cop. Azurin used to be the commander of the Area Police Command-Northern Luzon which has jurisdiction over Ilocos-Pangasinan Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Cordillera regions..

The official also handled key positions in Camp Crame where he used to be a former PNP Director for Comptrollership and Director for Information and Communication Technology Management.

During his younger years: his assignments include the following: 1st Special Action Company stationed in Parang, Maguindanao; 231st Philippine Constabulary ( Company in Quezon Province; Police Aviation Security Command – currently the Aviation Security Group ; Criminal Investigation Service Command — currently the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group; Office of Internal Security of the Department of Interior and Local Government; Health Service; Police Community Relations Group – currently the Police-Community Affairs and Development as well as the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management.

Lt. Gen. Azurin also previously commanded the elite Special Operations Group/Task Force Limbas of the Highway Patrol Group; was once deputy chief for operations of the famed Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force; and used to be a Benguet Police Provincial Office director.

The new PNP chief’s wide array of experience ,both from operational and administrative works, is a testament of confidence that the PNP is in good hands, said PNP Public Information Office chief, Brigadier Gen. Roderick Alba.

The official said that Lt. Gen. Azurin’s stint as Police Regional Office 1 director in Ilocos-Pangasinan region enabled him to formulate his style of leadership that is working towards policing to a new century.

“ He was able to identify gaps and challenges and created a development plan in the continuing pursuit for quality service. He focused on three aspects: policy flexibility; improved operational accomplishments; and responsive infrastructure management which he hopes to replicate to the entire PNP organization,” Alba added.

The PNP Officers Corps is one in saying they will fully abide by the decision of PBMM and will fully support Lt. Gen. Azurin. That is normal in the police force whose men are known for always submitting to the better judgment and freehand of the Chief Executive to exercise his prerogative of appointing the Chief PNP as provided by law.

Having covered the PNP since its creation in 1991, I have been a witness to many infightings between members of some PMA classes who all dreamt of becoming a Chief,PNP.

When Gen. Ping Lacson resigned as Chief,PNP in January 2001, many officials from PMA Classes 1968, 1969 and 1970 all wanted to replace the man who would become a future Senator. The rift between the late Gen. Larry Mendoza and Gen. Jun Ebdane became a legend in Camp Crame although both became PNP chiefs during the former Macapagal-Arroyo administration.

After Gen. Ebdane, it is widely known in Camp Crame that several classmates from PMA Class 1971 of Gen. Lacson bitterly fought each other for the top PNP post. Same with members of PMA Class 1973 which also had their own bets for Chief,PNP although Gen. Oca Calderon won the race eventually.

‘Infighting’ in the force is not rare particularly when it involves seniority, character and old differences dating back from their junior days. However, despite those dysfunctions, the PNP continues to function as a well-oiled machine simply because it follows a Chain of Command, from the Chiefs of Police to the Provincial and Regional Directors, to the Directorial Staff, the Command Group and up to the Chief,PNP.

It also has a time-proven set of guidelines and procedures which make it very different from other organizations. Thus, whoever leads the PNP for sure will have the complete authority over his other subordinates particularly when he really has the ‘eyes and ears’ of the President and I’m sure Gen. Azurin has them.

Two retired PNP chiefs who are very close to me have vouched for the honesty and integrity of Lt. Gen. Azurin and said that PBBM really made a good choice. Hear these words from Gen. Art Lomibao of PMA Class 1972 and Gen. Nick Bartolome of PMA Class 1980.

“Police Lieutenant-General (3-star) Rodolfo Azurin Jr. has been appointed Chief of the Philippine National Police. He brings with him a wealth of experience in police operations, law-enforcement and administration, backed up by a solid educational and training background, all of which will nurture him in running the country’s police force,” said Lomibao, one of my wedding ‘Ninongs.’

“At a time when the institution is transitting from the Duterte to the Marcos Jr government, General Azurin and the whole rank-and-file will have to adjust to the unique leadership styles of FPRRD and PFRM Jr. Definitely, there will be some changes in policies and programs but the motto remains the same- “To Serve and Protect,” he added.

Nong Art Lomibao in a Facebook post said this: “I barely know Jun. But he has a story to tell everytime we met… Back in 2005 when I was the CPNP, I resuscitated him from the “Navy”( that’s what we call officers in floating status)back to the PNP mainstream.

“ I was hesitant at first to give him a break because the powers-that-be might take it against me. Well, that’s another story… Anyway, I assigned him to the Health Service which is a low-profile assignment, “para hindi masilip”. As expected, he proved himself worthy of the position, thus, started his rise to the top post,” the retired 4-star general said.

“Knowing Jun, the PNP will be in good hands, if not better. His track record will speak for himself- sterling credentials, hardworking, untarnished reputation and above all, an unquestionable character. God bless you and the Philippine National Police. Mabuhay!!!,” said Gen. Lomibao who headed the PNP from March 14, 2005 to July 5, 2006.

Gen. Bartolome is also 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 told me on Monday.

The PNP chief from September 9, 2011 to December 17, 2012 said that 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.

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