Issues hounding P6.7-B shabu haul in Manila to be ‘laid to rest’ if Azurin speaks up — Bato dela Rosa

All the issues hounding the P6.7 billion drug haul in Manila late last year will be “laid to rest” if Philippine National Police chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. will break his silence, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said Thursday.

“The father of the PNP, being the head of that agency, everything will be laid to rest ‘pag nagsalita siya dahil alam niya lahat ‘yan dahil siya ang chief. Kung siya ang magsabi tapos na ang usapan,” Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, said in an online interview with reporters.

(The father of the PNP, being the head of that agency, everything will be laid to rest if he speaks up about the issue because he knows everything about it being the chief of police. If he will speak up about it, all the controversies will be addressed.)

Dela Rosa issued the remark after PNP Public Information Office chief Police Colonel Redrico Manahan said Azurin will give a public statement in the coming days as the latter is still waiting for all the reports surrounding the arrest of Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr. — the owner of the property where the 990 kilograms of shabu were recovered authorities.

The case of Mayo recently became controversial after Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos adverted to an alleged attempt at a cover-up following the confiscation of the 990 kilos of shabu.

Abalos has asked several officers, including two police generals, to go on leave to make way for the investigation of the alleged cover-up.

‘Reputation at stake’

While Azurin has yet to speak up about the alleged cover-up, Dela Rosa warned the PNP chief that his reputation is at stake especially now that he will be nearing his retirement.

“That’s a very good sign (if he will break his silence) na talaga kung may alam siya sabihin niya kaagad para hindi magdududa ang taumbayan… Lalo na…hanging in the balance ‘yung kanyang reputation bago siya mag-retire,” said Dela Rosa.

“Maganda yung magkaklaruhan bago siya mag-retire and I admire him for that. Ibig sabihin, wala siyang balak na mag-cover up sa anumang kalokohan na ginagawa ng kanyang mga tauhan, ng kanyang mga opisyal. So kung magsasalita siya, that’s very good,” he added.

(It’s a very good sign if he will break his silence. If he really knows the issue, he should address it immediately so the Filipino people will not cast doubt on the institution. This is very important because his reputation before his retirement is hanging in the balance. It is better if he clarifies everything before he retires and I admire him for assuring us that he will speak up about it. That means he has no intention to cover up the anomalies of his officers. If he will speak up, then that’s very good.)

On Wednesday, Dela Rosa said he wants Azurin to attend the Senate inquiry into issues surrounding the P6.7 billion shabu seized in Manila in October 2022.

Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. has filed a resolution calling for a Senate investigation into the controversy.

Dela Rosa, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, conducted a hearing on the drug case last month. The panel looked into the missing 42 kilos which were believed to be part of the 990 kilograms of illegal drugs confiscated from Mayo in October. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News