Duterte taking his time naming next PNP chief

Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan and Maj. Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar

President Duterte on Tuesday night said he was in no hurry to name the country’s next police chief, as the head of the Philippine National Police would be responsible for appointing key officials in the organization.

“There are rankings. I was given a list [by Interior Secretary Eduardo Año]. I think there’s Cascolan, Eleazar and another one,” Duterte said at a press conference in Malacañang, referring to the PNP officer in charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, deputy chief for operations, Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan, and chief of the directorial staff, Maj. Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar.

“They’re all good. They’re soldiers. They came from the [Philippine Military] Academy. I have no doubt about their integrity, but I am taking my time appointing one,” the President said.

Pressed why he was taking his time, Duterte replied: “Because he will be appointing the heads of every department [in the PNP], especially the controller and the finance people.”

He added: “[The next PNP chief decides] whoever he wants to be placed there. When I give you a position, I no longer meddle.”

Gamboa has been running the PNP since October, following the resignation of the PNP chief, Police Gen. Oscar Albayalde, amid accusations that he had protected and interceded for some subordinates who were dismissed after a drug-recycling controversy in 2013.

Aside from Gamboa, Cascolan and Eleazar, other names were floated as possible contenders: Central Visayas regional director, Brig. Gen. Valeriano de Leon, and Calabarzon regional director, Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr.

Although not in the list submitted to the President,Duterte put in a good word for Danao, a former Davao City police chief when the President was mayor of the city, and a former director of the Manila Police District.

“This man is hotheaded. But he’s good, he’s really a worker. He and Bato are alike. They can solve a kidnapping overnight,” the President said, referring to ex-PNP chief and now senator, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.