MANILA, Philippines — Former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II quietly took over as National Police Commission (Napolcom) vice chair and executive officer last week, with the agency belatedly announcing his assumption of office only on Wednesday.
“To repay President Duterte’s continuing trust in me, I intend to fully execute his marching orders for a better Napolcom and, consequently, a better police force, to the full extent of the authority granted to me under the law,” Aguirre said upon assuming his new post on Jan. 20.
This was a day after he took his oath of office before Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea in Malacañang.
According to the Napolcom, Aguirre further stressed the importance of integrity, dedication and excellence as hallmarks of all official tasks to maintain public confidence and trust in the agency.
“Onward to a better Napolcom. Onward to a better police force. Onward to victory,” he told the Napolcom personnel.
Aguirre’s appointment by President Rodrigo Duterte to the Napolcom has raised eyebrows, as he was prompted to resign as justice secretary in April 2018 after being linked to several controversies, including the P50-million bribery scandal involving resigned immigration deputy commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles. —Jeannette I. Andrade