Although a turnover of command ceremony is already scheduled for Monday in Camp Crame, which is expected to be attended by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Azurin said that he is not yet aware of who his successor will be.
“So far wala pa naman and any hint. I really do not know what’s in the mind of our President but I’m sure na talagang he is really thinking (so far, there’s no hint yet. I really do not know what’s in the mind of our President, but I’m sure that he is really thinking),” he said in an interview with reporters on the sidelines of his testimonial parade at the Philippine Military Academy on Saturday, April 22.
“Hindi naman siguro sa nahihirapan. Maybe our President is just keeping it to himself kung ano man ang maging desisyon niya na ilalabas sa mga susunod na araw,” he added.
(I don’t think he’s having a hard time. Maybe our President is just keeping his decision to himself that he will reveal in the coming days.)
Earlier, Azurin advised Marcos to be cautious in selecting his replacement as the top cop due to what he describes as a “pattern of pilferage” of confiscated shabu by erring police anti-narcotics agents, which once again puts the police organization in a bad light.
He said top police officials are unconsciously being dragged into the show run by illegal drug syndicates with the help of their cohorts in the police organization.
Azurin denied rumors about his possible extension as the top cop.
Upon retirement, he said he will rest and spend more time with his family.
Azurin described his tour of duty as a roller coaster ride.
“Siguro ang maiwanan ko na legacy dito is una ‘yung lagging sinasabi sa amin nung kami kadete: you take care of your people and definitely they will take care of you. And siguro naman ay nagawa ko naman. Naiparamdam ko naman sa aking mga tauhan and at the same time nakita ko naman na sila ay nagtrabaho ng buong husay at buong puso,” he said.
(Perhaps the legacy that I will leave here is what we cadets were always told: you take care of your people and definitely they will take care of you. And I believe that I have done that. I was able to make my subordinates feel that, and at the same time, I saw them work with great skill and heart.)
Azurin will be retiring in the middle of controversies related to what Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. tagged as a “massive cover-up” of an anti-illegal drugs operation in Manila City in October 2022, which resulted in the seizure of over a ton of shabu and the arrest of Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr.
He denied Abalos’ claim.
Several candidates are being considered for the top post in the PNP, including Lieutenant General Rhodel Sermonia, PNP deputy chief for administration; Jonnel Estomo, PNP deputy chief for administration; and Lieutenant General Michael John Dubria, chief of the directorial staff. (SunStar Philippines)