No favoritism in PNP – Gamboa

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) acting chief Brig. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa on Monday denied there was “bata-bata” system following the massive revamp of top officials.

“I don’t know kunganosinasabi favoritism. ‘bata-bata.’ La hatngpul is taoko‘y an, la hat ngpulisbatako (I don’t know what favoritism they are talking about, ‘bata-bata.’ All police are my men),” Gamboa said in a press briefing in Camp Crame in response to some police officials reportedly grumbling on the revamp.

“Bata” is the Filipino word for child. “Bata-bata” is a system of police officials favoring some police officers.

“W alan am an sig ur oak ob at aindication niyan, kalahating regional directors napalitan classmate konasama (I have no favorite. An indication is that half of the regional directors were replaced, including my classmates),” Gamboa pointed out. The PNP chief is a member of the PMA Class of 1986.

Meanwhile, he refused to comment on the appointment of a permanent PNP chief.

“Let’s wait for the President ( Rodrigo Duterte). ‘Wagnating mad ali in;i bi gay na lang na tin sa kan ya. N and it oako as officer in charge (OIC) to take care of the organization (Let’s wait for the President. Let us not rush him; let’s give it to him. I am here as OIC to take care of the organization),“Gamboa said.

On Saturday, PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac told TheManilaTimes that Gamboa could serve as PNP OIC for a longer time as it depends on Duterte when he would appointment a permanent one.

Gamboa replaced Gen. Oscar Albayalde as head of PNP after the latter resigned over drug recycling issue dragging his name.