PNP shakeup unconnected to courtesy resignations of top officials – Azurin

FILE PHOTO: The Philippine National Police Headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Niño Jesus Orbeta/Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — The latest reshuffle in the Philippine National Police (PNP) has left the public questioning the timing of the movement, as it comes during an ongoing review of its top brass who submitted their courtesy resignations as part of the administration’s pursuit of rogue “ninja cops.”

But according to PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., the recent reshuffle of the force’s top leadership positions was nothing out of the ordinary.

“Itong movement na ito ay isang regular na revamp ng ating PNP, because we wanted to improve iyong police presence dito sa National Capital Region and at the same time, at least mabigyan natin ng ibang posisyon ang ating mga nagtatrabaho na mga officers,” he told reporters in a chance interview on Friday.

(This movement is just a regular revamp in the PNP because we wanted to improve the police presence in the National Capital Region and at the same time, at least we can give different positions to our other officers.)

He clarified that the reshuffle is unrelated to the ongoing review of PNP officials who submitted their courtesy resignations.

In early January, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. called on all PNP generals and colonels to submit their courtesy resignations, noting that there is a big problem within the national police because it appears that some of its top brass are linked to the illegal drug trade.

READ: Abalos seeks courtesy resignation of all PNP colonels, generals amid possible drug links

“It will not affect any positions hanggang sa sila ay ma-clear. So ibig sabihin, ongoing pa rin ang ating pag-asses at pag-evaluate sa kanilang courtesy resignation, but it doesn’t mean na hindi tayo pwedeng magkaroon ng revamp or reshuffle sa ating PNP,” Azurin explained.

(It will not affect any positions until they are cleared. So that means that our assessment and evaluation of their courtesy resignations are still ongoing, but it doesn’t mean we can’t have a revamp or reshuffle in the PNP.)

Azurin had led the command turnover ceremony for the newly designated National Capital Region Police Office Director Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo, who replaces Maj. Gen. Jonnel Estomo in the post.

Estomo became PNP Deputy Chief for Operations after Lt. Gen. Benjamin Santos was reassigned to the Office of the Chief PNP.

Okubo’s previous post – Director of the PNP-Special Elite Action Force – will be assumed by Brig. Gen. Rudolph Dimas while Brig. Gen. Westrimundo Obinque will take the helm of the Bicol Region police. — with reports from Kimberly D. Albaño, trainee

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