Retired Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin is urging the police force to remain vigilant and take a stand against any misconduct that their colleagues may be involved in.

“This is a wakeup call for all the PNP personnel na let us not tolerate everyone especially if they have so many shortcomings because it is really the people who expect that lahat po ng kapulisan ay gagawin ang tama at kung ano po ang marapat,” Azurin said.

He made the remarks during the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, which has ongoing discussions regarding the Oct 9, 2022 drug raid in Tondo Manila where Master Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo Jr., a member of the Philippine National Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-PDEG), was caught in possession of 990 kg of ₱6.7 billion worth of shabu or crystal meth.

The former PNP chief also encouraged police leaders to take charge of their respective levels within the organization.

“This should be a lesson sa lahat po ng ating mga operating unit that let us supervise our people on the ground. Let us not allow that we will be influenced by the few scalawags and misfits in the uniformed service,” he added.

The arrest of the now-dismissed Mayo exposed the involvement of some high-ranking police officials in the illegal drugs trade.

After Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. revealed an alleged “massive attempt to cover up” the biggest drug bust and arrest of Mayo, police morale plummeted.

As a result, Abalos, with the consent of President Ferdinand R. Marcos J., requested that all police colonels and generals voluntarily resign from their positions as a means of getting rid of corrupt police officers from the force.

Dela Rosa also mentioned that his committee will organize a final meeting to discuss the matter in more detail before submitting their committee report and proposing laws.

Written By Ailah Francisco, DZRH News Online Intern