MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang only has two words to describe the one who will succeed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde when he retires next month: “competent, honest.”
“Competence, honesty, it’s always on that qualification… If you are honest, you are not corrupt. If you’re honest, you are not relative to any anomaly... as in every organization, that is the standard,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said at a regular media briefing yesterday.
The PNP has been rocked by controversy arising from the testimony of a former police general that Albayalde had tried to intervene in a drug raid in 2013 that led to recycling of several kilos of drugs supposedly intercepted by the police.
Panelo, however, did not explain President Duterte’s statement that he would vet the character and resumé of aspirants so he would not “stumble” again.
Asked if it matters that the next PNP chief should be personally known to the President or part of the so-called Davao Group who had served in the Chief Executive’s home province, Panelo said the President usually appoints a person based on good reputation regardless of affiliation.
“Like chief Albayalde, he doesn’t know him personally. Like Secretary Briones, Secretary Diokno, the President doesn’t know them (personally), there are other instances,” Panelo said, referring to Education Secretary Leonor Briones and former budget secretary and now Bangko Sentral Governor Benjamin Diokno.
“Sometimes, maybe, he appoints on the basis of reputation preceding the appointee; if the appointee made an impressive reputation,” he said.
Among the contenders, two are Albayalde’s “mistahs” or classmates in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Sinagtala Class of 1986: PNP deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa and chief directorial staff Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan.
Gamboa was commander of the PNP National Security Task Force for the 2019 midterm elections. Once appointed to the top post, Gamboa will serve for ten months since he is set to retire in September 2020.
Cascolan was among those who strategized the Oplan Double Barrel and the controversial Oplan Tokhang, which became the PNP’s flagship program in the war against illegal drugs. Cascolan is set to retire in November next year.
National Capital Region Police Office director Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, a member of PMA Hinirang Class of 1987, is also said to be gunning for the top post. Eleazar retires in November 2021.
Brig. Gens. Filmore Escobal, of the Police Security and Protection Group; Rhodel Sermonia, of the PNP Community Affairs Development Group; Manila Police District director Vicente Danao Jr. and PNP Firearms and Explosives Division chief Valeriano de Leon are also reportedly working their way up the ladder to get the President’s attention.
Regardless if the next PNP chief would come from the PMA or the PNP Academy (PNPA), Panelo said the standards for honesty and competence remain the benchmark for major consideration by the President.
Brig. Gen. Gilbert Cruz has been asked by his fellow PNPA officials to make a run for the top PNP post, which would make him the first PNPA graduate to become PNP chief if he gets Duterte’s nod.
Cruz said his fellow “Lakans” have asked him to try, although he was a bit apprehensive. He had told them that he won’t be backing down from the challenge.
In an interview in Moscow, Cruz also denied he had formally submitted a letter to Duterte to apply for the top police post, purportedly outlining his credentials.
On whether Malacañang agrees with Albayalde’s statement that the PNP and the public should now move on from the controversy, Cruz said there is no denying that the President has ordered an investigation.
Former president and former Manila mayor Joseph Estrada vouched for Cruz.
Estrada said Cruz had the necessary experience and integrity to lead the PNP.
“He rose from the ranks. I’ve seen his dedication in law enforcement during my presidency, where he was a member of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF). He has many achievements,” Estrada said.
Panelo also downplayed reports that the integrity of the drug war has been adversely affected by the controversy involving Albayalde.
He said the controversy might have dealt a setback but the campaign continues.
“First, there have been many factories of shabu dismantled. Second, many have been arrested. And even with respect to the policemen, 142 policemen have been killed,” Panelo said.
Panelo explained the involvement of a few rotten eggs in the police force has not affected the administration’s drug campaign since police operations continue despite the hitch.
“They (public) should be comfortable,” he said.
Panelo gave assurance that the President has not wavered in his drug campaign amid reports that some police officers are involved in the drug protection racket.
“The fact is the President has dismantled many drug apparatus in this country and jailed many police scalawags involved in drug operation and arrested many people involved in pushing illegal drugs and many have surrendered, many have been rehabilitated,” he said. – Jose Rodel Clapano