Albayalde on next NCRPO chief: Up to Rody

Who will be the next chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO)?

This question circulated at police camps after President Duterte appointed NCRPO chief Director Oscar Albayalde as the next Philippine National Police (PNP) chief last week, replacing Director General Ronald dela Rosa.

When asked by The STAR yesterday, Albayalde could not say who would replace him.

He said it’s up to the President to name his replacement based on the recommendations of an oversight committee chaired by PNP deputy director for operations Deputy Director General Fernando Mendez.

“I have no idea as to who would replace me. But I think President Duterte would name somebody before I assume command of the PNP,” Albayalde said in an interview.

He is scheduled to assume the PNP post on April 21, two days before the end of the three-month extension of Dela Rosa’s term.

According to sources, Chief Superintendents Guillermo Eleazar and Mao Aplasca, directors of the Quezon City Police District and Calabarzon police, respectively, are being eyed as the next NCRPO chief.

Aplasca, originally a classmate of Dela Rosa and Albayalde at the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1986, graduated along with Eleazar as a member of the PMA Class of 1987.

Aplasca hails from Davao. Eleazar is from Quezon province.

They vowed to support the leadership of Albayalde as the new PNP chief.

Sources said that should Aplasca get the NCRPO post, Eleazar would take over as the Calabarzon police head.

If Eleazar is appointed NCRPO chief, Aplasca will most likely replace Director Rene Aspera, who is set to retire on May 7 as head of the directorate for personnel and records management.

Other names floated as the next NCRPO chief. But Albayalde admitted that Aplasca and Eleazar are way ahead in the race.

“Let us just wait for the announcement from the Palace. Anyway, it will take only a few days,” Albayalde said.