Duterte chides PNP heads over ‘ninja cops’ controversy

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed disappointment at the Philippine National Police (PNP) after the organization found itself embroiled in a controversy involving the recycling of seized drugs, this despite the support the President has given the police force, Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, officer-in-charge of the PNP, said Thursday.

Gamboa, also the PNP deputy chief for administration, said he sees the sentiments of Duterte during a command conference with police officials on Tuesday as a challenge to his leadership as OIC.

“Lahat naman ng nag-attend doon napakinggan nila ‘yun kaya nga [All who attended heard it, that’s why] it’s a challenge on my leadership kahit OIC ako [even if I am an OIC] that I should do something about the impression of the President,” he said in a radio interview over DZMM.

“It should take upon me. Dapat may initiative kung ano ang dapat kong gawin at pini-prepare ko ‘yan [I should have an initiative on what I should do and I am preparing for that],” he added.

Gamboa said he would lead an “evaluative conference” with top police officials on Saturday and another command conference next Wednesday.

Gamboa, one of the candidates to be the next PNP chief, assumed as OIC of the PNP after Gen. Oscar Albayalde announced on Monday that he decided to be on non-duty status, vacating the top PNP post weeks before his retirement on November 8. /jpv

READ: Albayalde steps down as PNP chief