MANILA, Philippines — There is no “bata-bata” system or favoritism involved in the recent massive reshuffling of senior police officials holding key posts in the Philippine National Police officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa assured on Monday.
“Wala naman siguro akong bata bata. Ang indication lang dyan is kalahati ng RD (regional director) actually ay napalitan at pati ‘yung mga classmates ko ay kasama (There is no favoritism. The only indication there is half of the RDs were replaced, including my classmate ),” Gamboa said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.
An alleged “white paper” being circulated among police officers through online messages is accusing Gamboa of not reassigning at least two senior officials despite previous administrative cases.
These two officials are said to be his mistahs (classmates) at the Philippine Military Academy Sinagtala Class of 1986.
Gamboa, who is himself one of the three candidates recommended by Interior Secretary Eduardo Año to be the next PNP chief, said that as OIC of the 190,000-strong police force, everyone is his “bata” or subordinate.
“Pero rest assured na ‘yung sinasabing “bata-bata” system, hindi naman existing ‘yun sa PNP. If you want to be specific, then please go ahead and I will explain kung meron mang sinasabing may bata-bata si OIC Gamboa (But rest assured that the “bata-bata” system does not exist in the PNP. If you want to be specific, then please go ahead and I will explain if OIC Gamboa indeed has favoritism).”
The major revamp, implemented by Gamboa shortly after he was named PNP OIC, has affected 21 senior police officials in major positions in the PNP national headquarters and regional offices.
READ: ‘Major revamp’ implemented in PNP
PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac earlier admitted that some police officials “have expressed disappointment that they were moved to certain positions.”
READ: PNP spokesman: Some officials disappointed with major revamp
Gamboa took over from then-PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde, who was dragged into the “ninja cops” controversy and thd questionable drug raid in Pampanga in 2013 when he was still Pampanga police director. /gsg