Duterte to ‘most likely follow seniority’ in choosing next PNP chief — Bong Go

TARLAC, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte finds seniority very important in choosing the next chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said Wednesday.

Go earlier bared that included in the shortlist for the PNP chiefship were Police Lieutenant Generals Francisco Archie Gamboa and Camilo Pancratius Cascolan, and Police Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar.

READ: 3 eyed to succeed Albayalde

He admitted that Duterte is now being careful in choosing the next country’s top cop after former PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde was embroiled in an alleged illegal drug scandal.

READ: Albayalde steps down as PNP chief

“Tinitingnan ng Pangulo kung sino ‘yung competent at honest and malaking bagay po sa kanya ‘yung seniority (The President is looking for someone who is competent and honest, and the seniority of the PNP chief candidate is very important for him),” Go told reporters in an interview here.

“Prerogative po ni Pangulo kung sino ang kanyang pipiliin pero most likely he will follow the seniority rule (It is the prerogative of the President who he will choose, but he will most likely follow the seniority rule),” he added.

Among the three named in the shortlist, Gamboa and Cascolan is the most senior as they are “mistah” (classmates) of Albayalde in Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1986. Eleazar belongs to PMA Class 1987.

However, Go said that there are still other PNP officers being considered for the agency’s top post, including star generals such as Manila Police District (MPD) director Vicente Danao.

He earlier said that the President will announce the next PNP chief on Oct. 29.

READ: Gamboa appointed as officer-in-charge of PNP

President Duterte held a joint military and police command conference on Tuesday night but he did not name the new PNP chief. This means Gamboa remains Officer-In-Charge. /je