Who will be the next PNP chief? Dela Rosa has 5 bets

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Ronald Dela Rosa has revealed over the weekend, five police officials who may replace him as his extended service would possibly end on April.

They were: Police Deputy Director General Ramon Apolinario, the current number two man at the PNP, Police Deputy Director General Archie Gamboa, the current third to the highest police officials, Deputy Chief for Operations-Police Deputy Director General Fernando Mendez, Director for OperationsPolice Director Camilo Cascolan, and National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Oscar Al bayal de.

Dela Rosa, however, said he is yet to recommend any of his possible successor to President Rodrigo Duterte who has the last say on who would replace him.

He said he can recommend any star-rank police official to Duterte.

“‘Pag nagusap kami ni Presidente, lahat ‘yan ng mga 3-star, lahat ng mga 2-star, lahat ng 1-star, they are all capable of becoming the chief PNP, they’re eligible. Pero kung personal mag-endorse ako ng pangalan sa kanya, tinatanong niya ko pero wala pa akong masabi sa kanya,” Dela Rosa said.

“Maniguro din ako dahil sabihin mo na kahit mistah mo yung i-eendorso mo, mamaya magkamali ka pagdating don, papalpak ‘yan doon sa taas, ‘pag siya na nakapwesto, ako sisishin ni Presidente,” he added.

Duterte had already chosen Apolinario to replace Dela Rosa, who was suppose to retire last January 21 but was ordered to extend his police service “as they still have a lot to address particularly in the government’s war on drugs.”

Earlier, Dela Rosa said he wanted his retirement “so bad” in order to rest and have some time with his family and to live a normal life again but he cannot refuse Duterte’s order.

“Sasabihin ni Presidente, porket napagbigyan na kita, ginawa na kitang chief PNP, buong pagkapulis mo, I have been by your side, I have been at your back, I have been supporting you, ngayong patapos

ka na, gusto mo na kaagad mag-relax, iiwan mo na ako dito, ayaw mo na akong tulungan. That’s so inggrato for me, ‘pag gagawin ko ‘yan,” he said.

Dela Rosa said he knows that several police officers are “excited” for his retirement although he refused to name who they are.

“Well, everybody wants to be at the top, that’s a fact of life. Lahat ‘yan gusto umakyat sa taas. So naramdaman ko, hindi naman ako manhid na hindi ko nararamdaman,” Dela Rosa said. (Third Anne PeraltaMalonzo/ SunStar Philippines)