Oscar Albayalde replaces Dela Rosa; Carlito Galvez takes over AFP

MANILA, Philippines — Incoming Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director Oscar Albayalde vowed to continue the government’s war on drugs and weed out scalawags from the police organization.

“We will continue what we started in the war on illegal drugs,” he told reporters yesterday.

He promised to continue implementing Oplan Tokhang, the government’s anti-drug campaign where 1.3 million drug pushers and users have surrendered.

“It’s very successful and we have this momentum and we will continue with the momentum,” Albayalde said.

President Duterte yesterday announced that Albayalde is the next PNP chief, replacing Director General Ronald dela Rosa.

Duterte also designated Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez as the new head of the 130,000-strong military, replacing outgoing Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero.

Albayalde, who is set to retire on Nov. 8, 2019, promised to continue with their internal cleansing program to instill discipline among police ranks.

Albayalde had caught several police officers sleeping on the job during his surprise inspections of police stations in Metro Manila.

According to Albayalde, he is elated and overwhelmed by the trust and confidence Duterte gave him in leading the police organization.

“I will continue and fully support the advocacy of the administration of our President,” he said.

Asked what was his edge over other contenders, Albayalde said it could have been the endorsement of Dela Rosa, his classmate at the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1986, and his accomplishments as head of the NCRPO.

Albayalde said he had been told by fellow police officers that he was being considered by Duterte as the next PNP chief.

“They told me I’m being considered but not really I will be the next, nothing like that,” he said.

Albayalde also promised to remain accessible to members of the media.

“Nothing will change except my rank and my position.”

Duterte said he has ordered Albayalde to expand the prison cells because he would put more criminals in jail. 

“Do not buy food. Do not feed those b******. They should buy their own food,” the President said. 

“I am not the pardoning type. I am not a priest and I do not want to listen to mouths that are close to my ears,” he added. 

Duterte said he chose Albayalde because he got feedback that the police official is competent and strict.

“I asked those from Davao. I mentioned two other names. They said ‘choose him sir, he is competent sir, he is kind,’” the President said. 

Meanwhile, the PNP welcomed Albayalde’s appointment.

“The 190,000-strong PNP uniformed and non-uniformed personnel will give its full support to his leadership,” PNP spokesman Chief Supt. John Bulalacao said in a statement.

“His proven track record of service assures us that the policies of the government relative to public order and safety shall be sustained,” he added.

New AFP chief

Duterte picked Galvez, former commander of the  AFP Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), from the list of three key contenders that were recommended by the AFP Board of Generals.

The two other contenders were Davao City-based Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) commander, Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal and Army chief Lt. Gen. Joselito Bautista.

Galvez, Bautista and Madrigal belong to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1985.

“I would like to thank the President for the trust and confidence and I would do my best with honor, integrity and loyalty. I will serve the best that I can,” Galvez said when asked for comment over his new designation.

Galvez, if his term is not extended by the President, will be serving as AFP chief for eight months as he is slated to be retired from the service on Dec. 12 this year.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that the AFP will be in good hands under Galvez.

“I am happy for General Galvez. I know he will make a good chief AFP. I knew him since he was a lieutenant, very professional and competent,” Lorenzana said.

He added that most of Galvez’s assignments have been in Mindanao – western, central and eastern – and he knows the area and the people well.

With his designation as the new AFP chief, Galvez will be bringing along with him his rich combat and administrative experiences, having commanded key military field units in Mindanao, as well as protector of the government’s peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Prior to his current post as Westmincom commander, Galvez served as the Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade commander in Basilan before his designation to the government’s peace process with the MILF as Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH).

During his CCCH stint, Galvez worked with then Office of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process head Teresita Deles in preventing the escalation of hostilities between government forces and the MILF rebels at the height of the Mamasapano police-led anti-terror operations.

From his CCCH post, Galvez was appointed as AFP deputy chief for operations and he was later reassigned to Mindanao as commander of the Awang, Maguindanao-based 6th Infantry Division. – With Alexis Romero