MANILA, Philippines — Saying the contenders for the next Philippine National Police (PNP) chief are all good, President Duterte admitted on Tuesday night that he was still carefully weighing his choice for the post.
Among the candidates to replace Oscar Albayalde as PNP chief are Lt. Generals Archie Gamboa and Camilo Cascolan, deputy chief for operations, and Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, former director of the National Capital Region Police Office who now heads the directorial staff.
Gamboa is officer-in-charge of the PNP.
“They’re all good. They’re soldiers. They came from the Philippine Military Academy. I have no doubt about their integrity. But I would rather take my time appointing one,” Duterte said.
The President admitted that he is taking his time choosing the next police chief because he is cautious about the officials who would be assigned to head the finance and procurement offices.
“Wala pa (None so far),” Duterte told reporters when asked whether he has chosen a new PNP chief.
It has been more than a month since Albayalde stepped down from the post weeks before his retirement after he was linked to the “ninja cops” controversy.
PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said they hope that the President would appoint a permanent police chief by next year in time for the new procurement deals to be undertaken by the PNP. – With Romina Cabrera, Edith Regalado