National Police Commission (Napolcom) Vice Chairman Rogelio Casurao died on Saturday, January 2, after serving as a top official in the agency for 4 years under two presidents.

Napolcom announced Casurao’s death on Sunday, saying, “We deeply mourn his passing and we will forever cherish his memories. We will honor him by continuing to fight the good fights that he fought to move Napolcom forward most especially in this time of great sorrow and pandemic.”

Casurao was known as a soft-spoken official in the Napolcom, who usually represented the agency in government events if the chairperson – the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary – was usually preoccupied with other activities.

A key official

In a statement on Monday, January 4, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said it mourned his passing as an “instrumental” official in police and local government reform.

According to the DILG, Casurao processed the withdrawal and suspension of deputation of authority over police from 8 governors and 184 mayors. Most of these officials lost their powers over the police for allegedly underperforming in the government’s anti-drug and anti-corruption campaign.

“Certainly, his untimely demise left a void at Napolcom especially at this time when the DILG is working hard to further professionalize the PNP and rid the police organization of misfits and scalawags. His efforts and reforms in Napolcom will never be forgotten. He will forever be part of the DILG and Napolcom’s history and stories of struggles and successes,” the DILG said.

His service history

Casurao was appointed as a commissioner in 2016 by former president Benigno Aquino III then named as its vice chairman and executive officer.

A lawyer, Casurao was a former councilor in his hometown of Calbayog City and led the city’s People’s Law Enforcement Board. He was also the vice president of the Samar chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

Under President Rodrigo Duterte, where the police have faced numerous controversies, Casurao advocated for police reform.

“No other profession demands a higher ethical standard than that of law enforcement,” Casurao said in a speech in 2019. – Rappler.com