Gamboa doing good as PNP-OIC: Palace spox

FILE: Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa announces the dismissal of three policemen involved in the controversial anti-illegal drug operation in Antipolo City last May. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte is taking his time in selecting who he will appoint as the next Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Malacañang said on Sunday.

Lt. Gen. Archie Franciso Gamboa was designated as PNP officer-in-charge after PNP chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde resigned from his post amid allegations on his involvement in the recycling of illegal drugs.

However, PNP spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said Gamboa’s powers are limited since he could not approve the disbursement of funds for projects and procurement of equipment.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President should not be rushed into choosing a new PNP chief because it is his job to review the selection thoroughly.

“Ganyan talaga. Ang isang Pangulo bago mag-appoint, pinag-iisipan maigi (That’s really how it is. A President, before he appoints someone, has to think it over thoroughly),” Panelo said in an interview over dzIQ.

Panelo, meanwhile, praised Gamboa for doing a good job as PNP officer-in-charge.

“Kahit wala pang permanente meron namang OIC at magaling yung OIC (Even if there is no permanent PNP chief, there is an OIC and the OIC who is doing good),” Panelo said.

He said the PNP should allow the President to decide on who will take over the leadership of national police.

“Hayaan natin si Presidente, wag natin pangunahan ang kaniyang desisyon (Let’s let the President decide, let’s not preempt his decision),” he added.

Currently, Gamboa is one of the top candidates to replace Albayalde as PNP chief.

The others are Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan, deputy chief for operations and Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, former Metro Manila police director and now heads the directorial staff.

Late last month, Duterte admitted that he is having difficulty in selecting an “appropriate guy” who will take over as new PNP chief.

“It’s kind of a — hindi naman (not really) messy, but it’s very hard to — at this time to choose a candidate na who would really… The appropriate guy. Mahirap eh (It’s difficult),” Duterte said in a media interview in Malacañang.

Duterte said he wanted his next PNP chief to be both competent and honest.