PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos. (FILE PHOTO FROM THE PNP PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE)
MANILA, Philippines — Gen. Dionardo Carlos, chief of the Philippine National Police, on Sunday said preparations were already underway for his retirement but he remained open to a possible extension of his tour of duty.
Carlos will turn 56, the mandatory retirement age, on May 8, the eve of Election Day.
“I just follow orders, but I am on schedule. All my plans are based on what is allowed by the law. My birthday is on May 8, and my retirement honors is planned on May 6,” he said in a radio interview.
“Come by May 9, I will vote as Mr. Carlos. That’s my plan, but as I said I leave it up to the commander in chief,” he added, referring to President Rodrigo Duterte, who has the option to extend his tour of duty to June 30.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said there was no decision on Carlos yet, but the President was inclined to install an acting PNP chief instead.
—FRANCES MANGOSING
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