Why Bartolome opted to bow out on December 18

Philippine National Police Director General Nicanor Bartolome. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines -The Philippine National Police is set to be under a new leadership as Director General Nicanor Bartolome has agreed to have an early retirement effective next week, its spokesman said Thursday.

Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. said a change-of-command ceremony will be held on December 18, installing National Police Deputy Director General Alan Purisima as the new PNP chief.

Bartolome, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1981, was scheduled to retire on March 16, 2013.

“I will not go on non-duty status. Instead, I will have an early retirement because I would rather that the new chief of the PNP will be able to get immediately the four star rank because it is just fitting to the chief of the PNP to have that full authority,” Bartolome said.

Bartolome said he plans to enjoy the first few months of his civilian life with his family before he looks for something else to preoccupy himself. He is also set to undergo a knee surgery.

Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, meanwhile, lauded the outgoing chief for the legacy he left behind in the PNP.

“General Bartolome has served with distinction and honor. His service to PNP is marked by his motto “serbisyong may pagkukusa (service with initiative). The policy changes, with respect to capability, discipline, and sensitive policing, is also a hallmark of his administration,” Roxas said.

He also extended his gratitude to Bartolome for the “sacrifice” he made when he voluntarily agreed to step down early “in the interest if the service.”

Earlier reports had it that President Benigno Aquino III was looking into putting Bartolome on “non-duty status” before the end of the year for him to be able to appoint Bartolome’s successor in time for the security preparations for next year’s midterm elections.

Roxas said General Purisima has “a strong foundation in both the concept and operation of the policing . . . he has performed competently and professionally.”

Roxas cited Purisima’s training in the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

For his part, the incoming PNP chief pledged to continue the programs started by Bartolome, citing in particular the PNP Patrol Plan 2030 that will be “used to better serve the community.”

“Actually this is a new challenge for me and i would like to tell the PNP that we will continue the programs started by our chief PNP,” he said.