THE endorsement of the top three officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) as the next chief of the police organization is not enough for President Duterte.
In a taped interview with GMA Network’s “Unang Hirit” TV program, the President admitted he was having a hard time choosing the next direct general of the PNP because wants to get a “better deal” from the new police chief.
“I mean they’re all good but I want a better deal. It’s not enough that you recommend to me. Kung sabihin, ‘Sir ‘pag akong pinili mo patay lahat ang drug lords, patay lahat,’ okay, ikaw na (If they tell me, ‘Sir if you choose me, all drug lords will be dead, everyone will die’, okay, I’ll choose you),” Duterte said.
He was referring to the top three nominees — Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, the current officer-in-charge and Deputy Chief for Administration; Lt. Gen. Camilo Pancratius Cascolan, the Deputy Chief for Operations; and Maj. Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, the Chief of the Directorial Staff.
The three senior officers have been endorsed by Interior Secretary Eduardo Año to replace retired Gen. Oscar Albayalde, who stepped down as PNP chief in October ahead of his retirement last November 9 after he was dragged into the “ninja cops” scandal involving 13 junior officers found to have carried out a sham drug raid in 2013 in Pampanga while Albayalde was the provincial director.
In the apparent absence of an “honest” man who does not have any shady record and someone whom he can trust to head the police force, Duterte said last week that he was considering taking over and heading the PNP.
During the interview, the President reiterated that honesty and trustworthiness were among the primary values that he was looking for in the next PNP chief.
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, concurrent presidential spokesman, urged the public to be patient and wait for the President’s choice.
Panelo said the important thing is someone had already been named as OIC who is doing a good job leading the PNP at present.
