P-Noy to lead PNP head turnover rites

MANILA, Philippines — President Aquino will officially install today deputy director general Raul Bacalzo as the 16th Chief of Philippine National Police in formal turnover ceremonies in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Bacalzo will replace PNP chief director general Jesus Verzosa.

"Now that the president has appointed a new Chief PNP, I expect everyone to support the new leadership and carry on with the finest tradition of service, honor and justice in the Philippine national Police,” Verzosa said.

Verzosa opted to retire ahead of his mandatory retirement in December to give way to younger officers to assume key positions in the PNP.

Bacalzo, a member of the Philippine Military Academy "Masikap" Class 1977, is 3rd in Command of the PNP as Deputy Chief for Operations.

Upon graduation from the PMA in 1977, Bacalzo served a series of assignments as Company Commander to three Philippine Constabulary Companies in Mindanao and Luzon, namely, the 544th PC Company in Basilan, the 233rd PC Company in Cavite City and the 189th PC Company in Nueva Ecija.

He finished the bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the East and subsequently ranked 12th place in the 1984 BAR examinations.

With his outstanding background as criminal lawyer, he was twice designated as DOJ Special Prosecutor in 1987 and 1990.He served for five years in concurrent capacity as member of the GRP Peace Negotiating Panel in 1993 to 1998.

As Regional Officer of the CIDG-NCR in 2000, Bacalzo figured prominently in the investigation and prosecution of suspects involved in the infamous Rizal Day bombing when a series of almost simultaneous explosions rocked five separate locations in Metro Manila on December 30, 2000 killing 22 persons.

Verzosa will officially turnover to Bacalzo the Kampilan ni Lapu-Lapu, the symbol of command and authority of the Chief PNP over the 135,000-strong PNP.