Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Rodolfo Azurin is off the hook in the alleged coverup on the seizure of a P6.7-billion worth "shabu" in Sta,Cruz, Manila last year.
Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, chairman of the Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee, based his statement on testimonies of policemen during his public hearing on the 990 kilos of shabu seized in Manila last year, today, Tuesday, May 30.
He said Azurin went after PNP Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr, alleged possessor of the illegal drug, after talking with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
This, as dela Rosa closed his committee hearing an alleged attempt to cover up Mayo who was arrested for possession of the shabu shipment last October.
On the alleged cover up by Police Brig, General Narciso Domingo, former PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG), Dela Rosa gave Domingo ‘’50-50.’’
Domingo reportedly failed to notify Azurin on the arrest of Mayo during the drug raid.
Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, also gave Police Colonel Julian Olonan of PDEG "75-25.’’
He said Police Lt. Colonel Arnulfo Ibanez and Police Lt. Col. Glenn Gonzalez also have a lot of explaining to do as the investigation on Mayo revolves around them.
In today’s hearing, Geronimo said he did not include the name of Mayo when he reported the shabu seizure incident to Azurin because his men wanted to use Mayo in follow up operations to bag bigger ‘shabu’ shipments but this did not happen and Mayo had already been charged.
Domingo admitted procedural lapses in the first seizure of two kilos of shabu but because of "divine providence," they were able to arrest Mayo and the 990 kilos of shabu which was under his (Mayo’s) care.
Meanwhile, Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada asked Philippine national Police (PNP) chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr. on reforms he plans to take to regain people’s trust to the institution, citing the continuous decline of public trust in the police.
Estrada, during the hearing, said the involvement of some police officers in illegal activities has affected the image of the PNP as a protector of the people.
Acorda, in response, said part of their agenda is integrity enhancement as well as aggressive and honest law enforcement operations.
He said they are also in the process of strengthening the existing disciplinary machinery to emphasize the command responsibility of every member of the police force.