Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 1) — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has rejected the courtesy resignation of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Rodolfo Azurin, clearing him of ties to illegal drugs, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos said Wednesday.
In a media briefing, Abalos also said Azurin will “steer” the advisory committee which will review the resignation letter of PNP generals and full colonels, as Azurin was already screened.
“Nag-usap [na] kami ng presidente tungkol dito,” Abalos said. “Hindi tinanggap ang kaniyang [Azurin] resignation [so] he is still the chief PNP to also steer the committee. He is in the position to give recent intelligence report,” Abalos said.
[Translation: The president and I already talked about this. Azurin’s resignation was not accepted so he is still the chief PNP, who will also steer the committee. He is in the position to give a recent intelligence report.]
The DILG secretary said the department aims to complete the investigation within three months.
Out of 995 PNP top officials, 12 did not submit their courtesy resignation, Abalos said. But out of the 12, five already retired and six are retiring, so technically only one failed to comply, he added.
Abalos assured those who refused to submit their courtesy resignation that they will not receive sanctions.
“We are not ordering anyone. It was just an appeal,” Abalos said. “No sanctions will be done, but syempre aalamin namin bakit ayaw niya [mag submit ng courtesy resignation],” he said.
[Translation: We are not ordering anyone. It was just an appeal. No sanctions will be done, but we will surely investigate his refusal to submit the courtesy resignation.]
