With the resumption of face-to-face classes and return of students on the streets, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. was reminded by a House leader to not let President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. down when it comes to the war on illegal drugs and peace and order in general.
According to Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, the country's top cop shouldn't allow the drug war from the previous administration to lose its momentum.
"I think PNP Chief Azurin should take it upon himself to make sure that the gains of drug war from previous Duterte administration are sustained," said Barbers, chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs.
"PBBM (Marcos) already made a policy statement that the Duterte drug war will be continued. He doesn't need to remind the PNP chief," noted the solon and former "Spice Boys" member.
Barbers aired some concern after reading about the rape-slay case involving 15-year-old victim Princess Marie Dumantay, of Bulacan. Her lifeless body was found dumped near a bypass road in Barangay Bonga Menor, Bustos, Bulacan last Aug. 12
Although police were able to catch the suspect, Gaspar Madredano Maneja Jr. alias Jose Francisco Santos, in Camarines Sur last Aug. 18, the congressman said such incidents have negative effects.
"Headlines on rape-slay cases tend to hurt peace and security efforts, PBBM is busy with food security problem that's why its imperative for the PNP to be proactive and not let PBBM down," Barbers said.
Azurin took over the helm at the PNP only last Aug. 1.
Marcos is the concurrent Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary, a task he voluntarily took up amid what he described last June as a looming food crisis.
Barbers, a veteran congressman, held the chairmanship of the dangerous drugs panel during the entire six-year tenure of former President Rodrigo Duterte from 2016 to 2022.