DFA confirms Azurin held by Canadian immigration authorities

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday confirmed that former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. was intercepted by immigration authorities upon his arrival at the Langley airport in Canada.

Nueva Ecija Representative Joseph Violago, sponsor of the DFA’s proposed P23 billion budget for 2024, made the response when asked about the incident by House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan.

“Parang nagkaroon ng misinterpretation, misunderstanding sa nangyari (There was an apparent misinterpretation, misunderstanding on what happened), and the Canadian government expressed their regrets over the incident,” Violago said.

“For privacy purposes, hindi pa ma-ididivulge iyong report (we cannot divulge yet the report about the incident),” he added.

Violago also said Azurin, who briefly served as the PNP chief under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., voluntarily went home after the incident.

“Wala nang nagawa [na assistance] ang Philippine Embassy kasi General Azurin voluntarily returned. Kaya wala nang naging assistance about the incident,” Violago said.

(There was no assistance from the Philippine Embassy since General Azurin voluntarily returned to the Philippines.)

“General Azurin went to Canada on his private capacity. Since the trip is not official, wala rin pong magagawang assistance just in case,” he added.

(Our Embassy could not extend assistance since the trip was in General Azurin’s private capacity.)

Libanan then said such a confidential report can be submitted to the office of Speaker Martin Romualdez as soon as possible, and that DFA cannot let this happen again to all other former police officers.

Initial reports said Azurin was held by Canadian authorities to ask him about the Duterte administration’s drug war as well as senators allied with the Duterte administration.

“This is  the budget season, you have to show Congress that your office is functioning properly. Lahat ba ng former PNP officials ay iintercept sa mga bansang ito at pauuwiin sa ating bansa?” Libanan said.

In response, Violago said the Canadian government has yet to issue an official statement on the matter, and that Azurin voluntarily returned home.

“The Canadian government will be the one who will relay the statement to the Philippine Embassy,” he said.

Libanan countered that it is DFA’s mandate to ensure that Filipino citizens abroad are given assistance.

“Just because you are retired already, the government cannot intervene. It is DFA’s obligation to help Filipino citizens abroad,” he said.

Violago responded by saying, “Rest assured that the DFA will intervene.”

In a statement, Azurin said he will disclose his ordeal at the proper time.

"In due time I will issue my statement and face the media to tell [them about] what happened," he said.—AOL, GMA Integrated News