In a media briefing, Azurin said he and members of his command group have already heeded the call of Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, who earlier cited cases of police officials supposedly involved in the illegal drug trade.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 5) — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. on Thursday submitted his courtesy resignation following the appeal for top officers to do so as part of an internal cleansing campaign.
“Actually, lahat kami rito, ‘yung command group ko, we have already submitted. Nauna pa ‘yung command group ko na nag-submit sa akin,” Azurin told reporters.
[Translation: Actually, all of us here, my command group, we have already submitted. My command group even submitted before me.]
On Wednesday, Abalos urged full colonels and generals of the PNP to resign as the government aims to rid the ranks of drug ties. A five-man committee will be established to review the records of police officials to determine possible involvement.
Azurin expressed support for the move, describing it as a chance for the PNP to cleanse the organization and “clear the names” of the innocent.
“We, in the uniform service, are trained and prepared and are expected to prioritize public service over personal interest,” he said.
Asked for numbers on those with alleged links, the PNP chief estimated “less than 10” among the third-level officers.
Other top officials asked to follow suit
Azurin, meanwhile, called on the over 900 concerned generals and colonels to follow suit and file their respective resignations.
The police chief added he expects “majority, if not all” to also answer Abalos’ call.
Azurin said they also aim for officials to submit their resignations not later than Jan. 31. Other “mechanisms” will be in place for those who won’t file, but no further details were provided as of publishing.
He also announced that the PNP will initiate the restructuring of its units in the frontlines of the anti-drug campaign, including its Internal Affairs Service.
Courtesy resignations: Unfair or good move?
Past and present officials had different takes on Abalos’ call.
For former PNP chief and Senator Ping Lacson, the courtesy resignation of top cops will give the organization a “fresh start.”
“Sa aking opinyon, makakatulong iyan sa paglilinis sa hanay ng kapulisan dahil umabot na sa punto na naging malawakan na ang involvement ng ilang mga matataas na opisyal ng PNP sa illegal drugs. Hindi na nga lang ilang opisyal ng PNP kundi pati PDEA ang sangkot,” Lacson said in a statement.
[Translation: In my opinion, that will be helpful in cleansing the police ranks because it has come to a point that the involvement of top PNP officials with illegal drugs has become extensive. Even PDEA officials are suspected.]
Detained former Senator Leila de Lima labeled the move as “unprecedented yet bold,” but noted that it should not be politicized.
Senator JV Ejercito, for his part, stressed that such “drastic” measure should be expedited, so innocent officials can get back to work with the same vigor.
“Ang hirap nang may kaso o kaya hindi mo alam kung anong mangayayari (It’s difficult if you have a case and you don’t know what will happen)… uncertainty really affects also your performance,” Ejercito said in a media interview.
LOOK: PNP chief Jun Azurin shows his courtesy resignation letter. | @GergCahiles pic.twitter.com/AtHx3yu8gv
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) January 5, 2023
CNN Philippines’ Alyssa Rola and Eimor Santos contributed to this report.
