Azurin intercepted in Canada, DFA confirms

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed yesterday that former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. was intercepted upon his arrival in Canada a few days ago.

But the DFA, through its budget sponsor Nueva Ecija Rep. Joseph Violago, said that Azurin was not deported by the Canadian government as previously reported.

“It seems that there was a misunderstanding, misinterpretation on what happened,” Violago noted during the House of Representatives’ hearing on the proposed budget of DFA for 2024.

The lawmaker underscored that the Canadian government had already “expressed their regrets with the miscommunication.”

News reports showed that Azurin was held by Canadian immigration upon arrival at the Langley Airport over the drug war of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Azurin reportedly opted to take a flight back home rather than be further harassed by immigration officers.

Asked by House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan for details, Violago claimed that the incident happened a few days ago when Azurin “voluntarily went to Canada.”

He added the former PNP chief also returned to the Philippines “voluntarily.”

According to him, the Canadian embassy is already looking into the incident and it “will go back to our Philippine embassy to relay what really happened.”

He said the DFA had received a report about the incident but refused to discuss it during the hearing, citing Azurin’s privacy.

The lawmaker said the Canadian government also does not want the matter discussed in public to prevent it from being blown out of proportion.

Violago added that DFA is waiting for the official statement from the Canadian embassy.

“The Department is in touch with Canadian authorities and