PNP chief Azurin to successor: Be strong, don't be afraid who gets caught, hurt

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. on Thursday advised his successor to be strong and brave, saying “not to be afraid of who gets caught and who gets hurt.”

“Siguro 'yung papalit sa akin maging matibay siya, maging matatag siya, dahil definitely sabi ko nga (My successor should be strong because definitely) if we are willing to have a genuine and real transformation sa PNP we should not be afraid who gets caught and who gets hurt,” Azurin said during the groundbreaking of the PNP Public Information Office (PIO) press briefing office.

Azurin, who is set to retire on April 24, said he has no idea on who will be the next PNP chief.

Asked if he will be extended from his post, Azurin said "Kaya nga maraming nagagalit sa atin (That is why there are a lot of people getting mad) because of that extension. No extension, I suppose.”

The PNP chief said he is also not afraid of the possible danger when he steps down from the post.

“That’s part of the job eh, basta sa akin may nagawa ako if I’ll reach my destination in heaven the earliest eh siguro God’s will 'yun, 'di ba,” he said.

(That's part of the job, I’ve done my job. If I'll reach my destination in heaven the earliest, maybe it is God's will, right.)

“Basta ang sa akin ginawa natin 'yung trabaho natin kung may nasagasaan tayo eh pasensya sila kasi chinallenge tayo eh kung kaya natin 'yung war on drugs, medyo nakayanan naman natin,” he added.

(As far as I'm concerned, we did our job. If we ran into someone, we only did our job, we were challenged if we can handle the war on drugs, we have been able to handle it quite a bit.)

Azurin earlier said President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. should also be cautious in choosing the next PNP chief.

Last March, the PNP announced a reorganization, with 10 senior police officials named to new posts.

The reorganization was approved by Azurin based on the recommendation of the Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board due to the retirement of some officials.—Richa Noriega/AOL, GMA Integrated News