FILE PHOTO: Members of the Philippine National Police gather at Camp Crame headquarters in 2018. (File photo by EDWIN BACASMAS / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año recommended just one name to succeed retiring Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas because he thinks the police officer is the “most qualified” from among a roster of candidates for the post.
This was according to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya, adding that Año’s sole recommendation to President Rodrigo Duterte “has the respect” of the law enforcement institution.
But Malaya declined to name the police officer that Año endorsed as the next PNP top boss.
“In so far as Secretary Año is concerned, he feels that this particular individual is the most qualified among them and this individual has the respect of the PNP leadership and the men and women that comprise our police force,” Malaya said in an interview with INQUIRER.net’s INQside Look.
“He has the experience and most importantly, he has the seniority from among the many contenders to the position,” he added.
Año has submitted only one name to Duterte in his recommendation on who should be the next chief of the PNP with Sinas’ retirement on Saturday, May 8.
Malaya said among the criteria considered for the selection were merit, years of experience, accomplishments, seniority, and the ability to undertake the leadership position.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that Duterte has already made his decision about Sinas’ successor.
Roque, however, said he is “not at liberty” to divulge the identity of Duterte’s pick for now because he has yet to see the appointment papers.