To get rid of ‘less than 5’ top cops in drug trade, over 900 senior officials told to quit

Members of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) stand in formation during the inspection of officers at their headquarters in Camp Karingal on Tuesday (July 19, 2022).

STAR / Michael Varcas

MANILA, Philippines — Over 900 top cops have been told to quit to supposedly cleanse the police force of links to illegal drugs, but by Philippine National Police chief Rodolfo Azurin’s own assessment, there might be only “less than five” high-ranking police officers involved in the drug trade.

While Azurin said during a news conference on Thursday that his estimate might be wrong, this still painted a completely different picture than what Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos tried to portray the day before, when he said the police force suffered from a “deep infection” of the drug trade.

Despite the stark contrast between their assessments of the drug links among police, Azurin still parroted Abalos’ characterization of the issue. “The problem is deep because we are a law enforcement agency,” said the top cop, who also submitted his courtesy resignation following the interior chief’s call.

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/05/2235547/get-rid-less-5-top-cops-drug-trade-over-900-senior-officials-told-quit