PNP chief to be placed under non-duty status

Vientiane, Lao PDR (via PLDT) – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome may have to retire three months earlier so that his successor can be named before the election ban, President Aquino said here late Monday.

“He might go on what is called non-duty status. We’ll discuss exactly when,” the President told Manila-based reporters who covered the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting here.

Aquino said non-duty status means Bartolome would still receive his full retirement pay and other benefits even if he retires early.

“That might be the end of November or sometime in December, because by February there is already an election ban. You would want the person in charge of monitoring and supervising the PNP to be fully organized,” he said.

The President said questions on why the new PNP chief is appointed at the height of the campaign period if Bartolome is allowed to stay at his post until his retirement on March 16  would be an “unnecessary irritant.”

He added that Bartolome “recognizes the fact” that the top PNP post should not be left vacant during the most critical period of the elections.

The President said Bartolome’s successor, who should be designated before the appointments ban, should also be given the chance to organize and put in place the necessary people to ensure the holding of honest and orderly elections.

“So at the time when it’s most critical and the person who will be directly in charge of the peace and order situation suddenly retires, ay mukhang mali naman yata iyon (that doesn’t seem right). So I’ll discuss that with him,” Aquino said.

The President said the early appointment of a new PNP chief is also important in view of the government’s all-out campaign against private armed groups.

‘Not affected’

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr., meanwhile, said Bartolome is not demoralized by the President’s statement.

“He is not affected. He is just doing his job,” Cerbo told reporters at Camp Crame.

It was the second time the President expressed his desire for Bartolome to hang up his uniform earlier than scheduled.

Last September, Aquino said he wants Bartolome to retire early so he could occupy a post at the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The President said he wanted Bartolome to succeed resigned DILG Secretary Rico Puno, who quit amid allegations that he was involved in a questionable gun purchase deal.

Cerbo said changes in the leadership would not affect the operations of the PNP.

“The PNP as an institution does not revolve on personalities. We have a very strong organization,” the PNP spokesman said. “Personalities change but the functions are still there. These are not affected by the changes.”

Bartolome attended the meeting at Camp Crame yesterday to discuss the security preparations for the 2013 elections.

Cerbo said they are still threshing out the guidelines to be followed by Task Force Secured and Fair Elections, headed by PNP directorial staff chief Director Alan Purisima.

Speculations are rife that Purisima is being eyed to be the next PNP chief. – With Alexis Romero