‘Make public names of cops cleared in shabu case’

MANILA, Philippines — The names of ranking police officials who were cleared of involvement in illegal drugs should be made public, outgoing Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. asserted after getting word that Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said the courtesy resignations of 917 PNP third level officers were denied.

“The SILG (Secretary of the Interior and Local Government) initially said 917 were recommended to have their courtesy resignations denied. I think it is but fitting that they reveal those names,” Azurin said partly in Filipino.

PNP public information officer Col. Redrico Maranan earlier said 955 generals and colonels are covered by the review of the five-man panel which Azurin chairs.

Azurin and panel members Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, ex-defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro, retired police general Isagani Nerez and former Court of Appeals associate justice Melchor Sadang met yesterday afternoon for another round of review of the records of the remaining police officials.

“Hopefully today (Thursday would be our) last meeting and we can wind up with whatever the assessment or evidence we have against people who might be answering some charges” Azurin said.

He did not give details on the police officials who might be removed from the PNP for alleged involvement in illegal drugs, noting that the National Police Commission (Napolcom) is yet to review the panel recommendations before submitting this to President Marcos.

Azurin, who is due to step down on April 24 when he reaches the retirement age of 56 years, advised his successor as PNP chief to be strong and brave in facing challenges in the police force.

“If we are willing to have a genuine, real transformation in the PNP, we should not be afraid of who gets caught, who gets hurt,” he told reporters in an interview yesterday on the sidelines of a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new press office and briefing room at Camp Crame.

Azurin said he has no idea as to who would be the next chief PNP.

Despite being hounded by “irregularities” committed by some police officials involved in the seizure of 990 kilos of shabu worth P6.7 billion in Manila, he stressed that he has no regrets in being President Marcos’ first PNP chief, as he noted that the organization has accomplished its targets in the government’s anti-criminality drive.

“We were given objectives and I think generally I can say that I was able to comply with those targets and objectives,” Azurin said.

He also shut down rumors that Marcos might extend his tour of duty beyond his retirement.

“Kaya nga maraming nagagalit sa akin (Many are getting angry at me) because of that extension,” he said.

The last two weeks of his term were marred by controversy after Abalos accused some PNP officers of involvement in an attempt to shield former M/Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo Jr. from prosecution in connection with the nearly one ton of shabu found in Mayo’s lending firm.

After staying silent for one week, Azurin came out swinging on Monday in a press conference and took a swipe at Abalos for being unfair with the police officials he named in public for alleged involvement in the cover-up scheme.

While he agrees with Abalos’ assertion that the public has the right to know the circumstances behind the 990 kilos of shabu, Azurin stressed it is the reason why there is an ongoing investigation.-  Ed Amoroso