PNP in la-la land
The simple and tested equation appears lost to the members of the PNP leadership who are all ensconced in comfort in their cool offices while relying on the gilded figures.
Philippine National Police chief, Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., is deluding himself or conversely being fed the wrong information by his bootlicking subordinates in his absurd claim that the peace and order situation in the country is “stable.”
Manila, particularly, is returning to becoming a no man’s land when darkness strikes.
Just the other day, the daughter of Daily Tribune’s editor-in-chief Gigie Arcilla fell victim to motorcycle-riding thieves along Legarda Street near the University Belt.
The area is haunted by petty criminals as students, mostly naive to life, are easy picking.
Arcilla’s daughter had her mobile phone out waiting for an Angkas ride when out of nowhere a back rider on a motorbike swiped her gadget.
Her instinct was to not let go which resulted in her being dragged behind the bike. The incident happened around 11 pm and the young woman had to be hospitalized.
It is easy to imagine that the same incident is replayed night by night.
While Azurin lives in his made-up world of bliss, Filipinos who were just getting used to a crime-free environment are again retreating to their homes when darkness falls.
The problem is that among those locking themselves up for safety include the now highly paid members of the police force.
Azurin has had to crack the whip since the recent directive of DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos for the PNP brass to submit their courtesy resignations to purge drug syndicate protectors delivered a stinging slap to his face.
Abalos’ directive had the support of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and had to be resorted to in what appears to be the ultimate solution that indirectly reflects on BBM’s perception of the police chief’s capability.
Police visibility is totally absent, leaving students and those staying out late vulnerable to the vultures.
The drug situation, contrary to the claims of Azurin, is going downhill as the traffickers are back.
Always the gauge is the price of narcotics in the underworld which is steeply falling, according to sources, indicating a flood of supply in the market.
As former President Rodrigo Duterte had said, the commission of crime and narcotics use are intertwined. Demolish the drug network and crime incidence will fall.
The simple and tested equation appears lost to the members of the PNP leadership who are all ensconced in comfort in their cool offices while relying on the gilded figures their subordinates provide them to assess public order.
The public who reposed their trust in the previous dispensation solely on the commitment that drugs and crime would be addressed is showing impatience.
Azurin better shows his mettle and convinces the people that he deserves to be reinstated after the courtesy resignation he recently submitted.
“While Azurin lives in his madeup world of bliss, Filipinos who were just getting used to a crime-free environment are again retreating to their homes when darkness falls.