PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. on Thursday will submit his courtesy resignation following the call of Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Wednesday to resign all colonels and generals.
Abalos said about 300 in total were found involved in the illegal drug trade.
“I heed the call of the Honorable Secretary of the Interior and Local Government and the concurrent chairman of NAPOLCOM (National Police Commission). Thus, I am submitting my resignation from the police service voluntarily,” Azurin wrote in a letter addressed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Azurin also wrote that he would allow himself to be evaluated and assessed by a committee created by Marcos to determine if he was in any way involved in the narcotics trade, or if he had been tolerating police officers who were.
He also noted that his resignation would also be considered an application for his retirement, adding that he supports Abalos’ call to “rid the PNP of misfits and scalawags.”
Abalos earlier said those who offer courtesy resignations could continue working while their records were assessed by a 5-member committee. Those found guilty would have their resignations accepted, he said.
“If you’re not involved, there’s nothing to worry about,” he said in a press conference, noting that anyone who did not tender their resignation would be “questionable.”
“This is the only way to cleanse the ranks in a fast manner,” Abalos said. “It’s difficult to fight a war when it’s your ally that will shoot you in the back.”
Abalos said that Azurin himself had recommended the move.
