DILG chief to submit list of PNP chief bets to PRRD

FILE: GRATITUDE FOR AID TO QUAKE VICTIMS. Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año thanks the Chinese embassy for the PHP10-million Batanes earthquake cash relief, during the turnover ceremony held at DILG office in Quezon City on Friday (August 9, 2019). The earthquake last July 27 has left nine people dead and around 100 others injured. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said on Friday he will submit three to five names of police officials whom he will recommend to President Rodrigo Duterte as candidates for the next Philippine National Police (PNP) chief.

“By tradition, the President asks the outgoing chief PNP for recommendations. I am also submitting my recommendation next week. Upon speaking with the President and Senator Bong Go, the qualifications are first, seniority; second, merit or reputation; third experiences on his performance previous assignment,” Año, who is also chair of National Police Commission, (Napolcom) told a media interview.

The DILG chief added that he will submit his recommendation letter on October 18.

PNP chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde who will bow out of the service upon turning 56 on November 8, is under fire for his alleged interference in the case of 13 erring police officers who were involved in the reselling of seized illegal drugs from a raid in Mexico town in Pampanga in 2013.

Albayalde, who was Pampanga provincial police chief at the time of the assailed anti-drug raid, was relieved from his post due to command responsibility.

Asked if he already talked to Albayalde, Año said they only talked about the PNP’s drive against scalawags and the smooth transition when the police official retires.

“Nagkita kami (We met) last Tuesday before the hearing of Senate. We didn’t discuss anything about resignation. If he intends to resign, he should convey it to the President, not to me,” he said.

Albayalde earlier shrugged off calls for his resignation, noting that he still enjoys the trust and confidence of President Rodrigo Duterte despite allegations dragging him to the “ninja cops” issue.

Albayalde said it would be up to the President to decide his fate.

Duterte earlier said dismissing a top official should be done “for a good reason” and with “enough proof.”

The President assured that procedural due process would be followed and that he would be “fair”.