Philippine National Police chief Deputy Director General Nicanor Bartolome. Danica hermogenes/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police chief Raul Bacalzo has formally turned over the reins of the PNP to his successor Director General Nicanor Bartolome who vowed to provide “leadership” under his tenure.
President Benigno Aquino III and incumbent and past executive and police officials witnessed the changing of the guard in ceremonies at the Camp Crame national headquarters Friday.
Bacalzo passed on to Bartolome the symbolic transformation torch which symbolizes the continous transformation in the PNP.
For his part, Bartolome said he was happy to accept the position and vowed to “carry on from where PNP chief Bacalzo left off.
At the same time, Bartolome said that under his leadership, “we will place right people for the right job, [as] the PNP needs to level up in the changing time and should develop competencies”.
“Leadership remains my main focus,” he said.
Earlier on Friday, Bacalzo welcomed the President with arrival honors.
Former President Fidel Ramos, Local Government Jesse Robredo, Armed Forces chief Eduardo Oban, and the President’s sisters — Pinky and Balsy — were present.
Bacalzo relinquished command of the PNP ahead of his mandatory retirement on September 15, his 56th bday, capping a 38-year career in the police service.
With Bacalzo is his wife, Librada, as he was awarded a Medalya ng Katapatan sa Paglilingkod.