Año to submit shortlist of PNP chief bets ‘within this week’

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Tuesday said he is poised to submit “within this week” to President Rodrigo Duterte the shortlist of candidates to replace soon-to-retire Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Camilo Cascolan.

During his regular Palace press briefing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte already has a shortlist of candidates for his next police chief.

“I’m sure he has a shortlist already but on the final choice, it’s up to the President when he will issue it,” Roque said.

Asked to confirm, Año told INQUIRER.net that he has not submitted the shortlist yet.

“(I’ll submit the list) within this week. Before Friday,” Año said in a text message.

The Interior Secretary, however, did not reveal how many names are on the shortlist.

Cascolan, who became the country’s top cop on September 1, is set to retire on November 10 when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56, unless Duterte orders the extension of his term.

KGA