The touted contenders for the country’s top cop come from Philippine Military Academy Class of 1982.
Deputy Director General Danilo Constantino and Director Ricardo Marquez were summoned to Malacañang last month for interviews with President Aquino for the position of director general of the Philippine National Police left vacant by the resignation of Alan Purisima.
Purisima resigned as PNP chief in the wake of public indignation over the massacre of 44 Special Action Force commandos in Mamasapano on Jan. 25, but did not give up his PNP post equivalent of a four-star general.
Purisima and 10 other PNP officers were ordered dismissed last week
by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales in connection with an alleged anomalous contract with an unregistered courier firm to deliver firearm licenses.
Constantino is currently the PNP’s chief of Directorial Staff, fourth in the PNP hierarchy, while Marquez is chief of the Directorate for Operations.
Casual meeting
Last month, Constantino admitted that he met “casually” with the President ahead of his classmate, Marquez, who was also summoned to Malacañang. He, however, declined to say if it was an “interview” for the post of PNP chief, asserting it was “just a casual conversation.”
Aside from Marquez and Constantino, other PNP generals being eyed for the top PNP post are Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo of Operations and Director Benjamin Magalong of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
Aquino’s rumored choice, Chief Supt. Raul Petrasanta, was among those ordered dismissed by Morales.
Aquino is expected to announce the new PNP chief before Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, the PNP officer in charge, retires on July 19.
Constantino has held 39 positions in the PNP. He underwent training on urban patrol tactics, a general Federal Bureau of Investigation course in the United States and a police executive role in combating terrorism. He also completed an international strategic intelligence course in Australia.
Marquez has held 37 positions in the PNP and underwent training on intelligence and illegal drugs, among others. He has received numerous citations and awards for heroism.