Former Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. was intercepted by Canadian immigration personnel upon his arrival at Langley Airport in Canada, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed Wednesday.
During the budget deliberation on the DFA's proposed P23 billion for the upcoming fiscal year in the House of Representatives, House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan inquired about reports of Azurin being held by Canadian immigration authorities.
Responding to Libanan's query, Nueva Ecija Representative Joseph Violago, who sponsored the DFA's proposed budget before the plenary, positively affirmed the report.
"There seems to be a misunderstanding, misinterpretation of what happened. The Canadian government expressed their regrets due to the miscommunication," Violago said.
He noted that Azurin, who resigned from his post in January, voluntarily went back home after being denied from entering Canada.
In a separate statement, DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said that the Philippine government is "in touch" with Canadian authorities regarding Azurin's case.
"The Department is in touch with Canadian authorities and hopes to get a better understanding of the incident soon," Daza told reporters in a WhatsApp message to reporters.
"While our foreign service posts are ready to assist Filipino travelers, including former government officials, these cases have privacy issues surrounding them," she added.
To recall, Azurin resigned from his post in January following Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos' appeal to the high-ranking officials of the PNP to resign from their posts as part of the internal cleansing of the organization.
Abalos sought the courtesy resignation of almost 1,000 police colonels and generals to address the alleged return of ninja cops in the PNP.