PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. defended on Monday, September 12, 2022, the organization over criticisms that criminals are now more fearless because the police are timid and less aggressive in going against them.Azurin expressed strong belief on the value of preservation of life in a bid to make the country a safer place to live in accordance with the order of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.“Hindi po natin kailangan pagtatakutin ang mga kriminal because very clear naman po ang guidance ng ating mahal na presidente, to make this country a safe place whether they are inside or outside of their home, so dapat ay nararamdaman po ng ating taumbayan na sila po ay ligtas,” he said.“Kung may nangyari man hong krimen, iimbestigahan po ng ating kapulisan, iidentify ang mga suspect, kakasuhan at huhulihin at ipakukulong po sila dahil to me po, ‘yung sinasabi po nila na iniinsinuate ng iba na kailangan po ay mga namamatay, so sa akin kasi ho, ang aking pananaw diyan kapag ang isang kriminal pinatay mo na, we just ended ‘yung suffering niya at that very instance,” he added.Azurin said putting criminals behind bars where they have to spend several years of their lives is a greater suffering.The top cop made the statement in reaction to the statement of former chief PNP now Senator Dela Rosa, who said: “Kulang sa asim. Kulang sa arrive ‘yung kapulisan sa ngayon. Para bang kung talagang may arrive e dapat takot ang kriminal gumawa ng criminal activities.”Dela Rosa expressed alarm over the reported spike of kidnapping cases in the country.Last week, the Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (PCCCII) president Lugene Ang said 56 kidnapping incidents involving Filipino and Chinese nationals, including children, have occurred over the past 10 days.Azurin said this is not true and based on the report of the PNP-Anti Kidnapping Group (AKG), there is currently no active kidnap-for-ransom case.“Some of these cases are abduction, human trafficking and then robbery holdup. So we just need to have a good categorization or classification,” he said.“As a matter of fact po ‘yung mga sinasabi po na mga cases po, ‘yung iba po doon ay na-solve na, ‘yung iba po doon ay under investigation,” he added.Azurin said the PNP’s strategy in terms of solving criminality under his term, which is for it to be bound by law, will be unchanged but he reminded cops to always be ready to defend themselves against lawless criminals.Meanwhile, Azurin defended the 30 policemen who were charged with murder over the “Bloody Sunday” in March 2021.He said the cops who took part in the simultaneous operations in Calabarzon that resulted in the killing of nine individuals affiliated to various activist groups were just performing their role as police officers.Azurin said the PNP will provide legal support to these cops. (SunStar Philippines)