Duterte as PNP chief? Police welcome possibility

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) welcomed on Friday, November 29, the pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte that he might take over the organization’s leadership should he choose not to appoint a new chief.

“Maganda pong balita yan. Suportado ng PNP ang pahayag ng Pangulo sa kanyang kahandaan na posible syang manguna sa administration ng PNP at wala naman tayong nakikitang problema dahil bilang commander-in-chief ang ating pangulo ang syang pinagmumulan ng lahat ng ating mga direktiba, guidance at kautusan,” PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Bernard Banac said.

“At hindi naman bago sa atin na tayo po ay nabibigyan ng mga policy guidance and instruction patungkol sa ating kampanya laban sa kriminalidad, illegal na droga at korapsyon. So kung anuman ang maggiging desisyon ng pangulo sa bagay na ito ay handan po ang PNP na tumugon at supporta,” he added.

Banac also said the PNP leadership does not take Duterte’s statement as an indication of loss of trust, particularly in the PNP top brass.

Duterte has yet to appoint a PNP chief following the resignation and subsequent retirement of then PNP chief Oscar Albayalde, who was linked to suspected ninja cops, or policemen involved in recycling of illegal drugs.

On Thursday, Duterte said he is looking for a “honest man” to lead the PNP and he has yet to find one.

“Even a single case of corruption, wala ka na. I would rather not appoint anybody for that matter. Ako na ang hahawak. I will be the one directing,” Duterte said.

“Guidance and direction lang naman ako. But that is in the event I couldn’t find somebody I can trust,” he added.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año earlier submitted three names for the PNP chief position, namely, Police Lieutenant General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan, Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar and Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa. ■