PNP sees nothing wrong with Duterte at its helm
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) does not see any problem if President Rodrigo Duterte himself leads the national police force.
This statement from PNP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac on Friday came a day after Duterte said he may opt to head the 190,000-strong PNP if he cannot find the best man to succeed resigned ex-PNP chief Oscar Albayalde.
“Maganda pong balita ‘yan, suportado ng Philippine National Police ang pahayag ng Pangulo sa kanyang kahandaan na posibleng siya’ng manguna sa administrasyon ng PNP,” Banac said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.
“Wala naman tayong nakikitang anumang problema dahil bilang commander-in-chief, ang ating Pangulo ang siyang pinagmumulan ng lahat ating mga direktiba, guidance, at kautusan, at hindi naman bago sa atin na tayo ay nabibigyan ng policy guidelines at instructions,” he added.
(That’s good news, the Philippine National Police supports the President’s statements on his readiness to handle and lead the PNP’s administration. We do not see any problem because as commander-in-chief, our President is the source of all directives, guidance, and orders. It is not new that he gives us policy guidelines and instructions.)
Duterte in his speech on Thursday at Malacañang explained that the three candidates for the post — incumbent PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan, and Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar — are still going through an extensive background check.
He earlier admitted having a hard time choosing Albayalde’s successor. Prior to Gamboa’s appointment as OIC, Albayalde faced a Senate blue ribbon committee hearing where his involvement in an alleged shabu-recycling scheme was unearthed, forcing him to resign.
“Even a single case of corruption, you’re out. I would rather not appoint for that matter,” Duterte said. “Ako na ang hahawak nun (I will handle it). I will be the one directing. Guidance and directions lang naman ako eh.”
READ: Duterte to take over PNP if he can’t find right man
When asked if Duterte’s suggestion was a shade to the leadership of the PNP — as the President cannot appoint one official amid the several competent, high-ranking generals that it has — Banac said they are willing to oblige to the President’s wishes.
“Nasa kapangyarihan ng Pangulo ang pagpili […] ng chief PNP. Lahat tayo bilang mga nasa unipormadong serbisyo ay nakahanda po na tumalima sa anumang magiging desisyon ng ating pinaka-mataas na authority,” Banac explained.
“Sa kadahilanang iyan, wala po tayong nakikitang problema, tayo po bilang professional na organisasyon ay handa pong sumunod, kung ‘yan po ang magiging kapasiyahan ng ating Pangulo,” he noted.
(It is in the power of the President to pick the next PNP chief. All of us, we in the uniformed service, are prepared to comply with any decision of our highest authority. Because of that, we cannot see any problem, because as a professional organization, we are prepared to adhere to the President’s decision.)
