Before retiring on Monday, Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. has urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to be cautious in selecting the next leader of the police force.
Speaking at a press conference in Camp Crame, Azurin, who was the first to lead the national police under the Marcos administration, emphasized the critical importance of this decision.
"I want to forewarn the president because it’s very critical for him to choose the next PNP chief. I hope the next chief PNP will have the same resolve as me. Otherwise, all will be for naught," he said.
He warned that drug lords would want to maintain "business as usual" under the next PNP leadership, as during his tenure, drugs were not tolerated.
Azurin's comments come in the wake of Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos presenting video footage last week showing officers allegedly involved in the transfer of crystal meth or 'shabu' during a raid that yielded P6.7 billion worth of drugs.
Abalos had called for several police officials, particularly those in the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, to go on leave pending investigation.
Azurin denied any cover-up in the operation and highlighted the persistent problem of drug proliferation in the northern regions of the country.
Interior Chief Abalos has yet to submit names to the president for the next PNP chief but has mentioned that he has one officer in mind whom he considers being "very good" at their work.
Potential candidates for Azurin's successor include top officers from the PNP's command group and other high-ranking officials within the police force.
