Duterte hasn’t chosen next PNP chief yet — Go

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has not yet chosen the next Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, according to longtime aide and now Senator Christopher “Bong” Go.

“Sa ngayon, wala pang napipili ang Pangulo. Hintayin lang po natin (As of now, the President has not picked anyone yet. Let’s just wait for it),” Go said in an ambush interview.

Go also admitted that part of Duterte’s consideration in picking the next police leader is his ability continue the war against illegal drugs — a primary program of his administration that has drawn widespread criticism.

“Pinag-iisipan po niya ng malalim kung sino ang may will to continue the war on drugs (He is still thinking hard regarding who among them has the will to continue the war on drugs),” the senator added.

There are three names being floated as the possible next leader of the 190,000-strong PNP: Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan, and Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar.

All three were recommended by Interior Secretary Eduardo Año. Gamboa current holds the deputy chief for administration post and is also PNP’s officer-in-charge, Cascolan is incumbent deputy chief for operations, and Eleazar is now chief of the directorial staff.

Duterte can still appoint a PNP chief outside of the Interior secretary’s recommendation, provided that the official is at least occupying a Brigadier General or one-star rank.

The top PNP post was made vacant after former chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde resigned over allegations that he protected so-called “ninja cops” back when he was still chief of the Pampanga provincial police.

Albayalde was set to retire on November 8 but resigned weeks earlier to “pave the way for the appointment of my replacement should the President so desires,” he said. /je

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