190,000-strong PNP supports Albayalde as next top cop

Members of the Philippine National Police gather at Camp Crame headquarters INQUIRER file photo / EDWIN BACASMAS

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday welcomed the appointment of National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde and declared full support for the country’s next PNP chief.

PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. John Bulalacao said the 190,000-strong PNP will be fully supporting Albayalde’s leadership.

“The PNP welcomes the appointment of PDIR Oscar Albayalde as incoming CPNP, as announced by the President in his speech in Malacañang during the awarding of Gawad Saka 2017,” Bulalacao said in a statement.

“The 190,000-strong PNP uniformed and non-uniformed personnel will give its full support to his leadership. His proven track-record of service assures us that the policies of the government relative to public order and safety will be sustained,” he added.

In a speech before farmers and fisherfolks in Malacañang on Thursday, Duterte said that Albayalde is “the man” for the people.

Albayalde will replace PNP Chief Dir. Gen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who was supposed to retire on January 21, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 but had his term extended by the President indefinitely.

READ: Duterte says Albayalde will be next PNP chief

Albayalde would also lead the PNP amid the government facing various investigations concerning the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.

The war on drugs, which has drawn condemnation locally and internationally, was also the subject of two petitions and oral arguments before the Supreme Court.

It was also the subject of an ongoing preliminary examination by the International Criminal Court. /jpv