No word yet on next PNP chief

In a press briefing in Camp Crame, PNP spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said the police force can still function despite having only an officer-in-charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa. (File Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)

MANILA — The selection of the country’s next top cop was not tackled during the command conference with President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday.

In a press briefing in Camp Crame, PNP spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said the police force can still function despite having only an officer-in-charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa.

Banac said Gamboa has the power to order the dismissal, recruitment, and reshuffling of police officials as mandated by the National Police Commission (Napolcom).

He, however, said the PNP needs a permanent chief next year as Gamboa, being only an OIC, cannot approve the disbursement of funds for projects and procurement of equipment.

“Inaasahan natin na may pangangailangan tayo pagpasok ng January 2020, kinakailangan natin ng permanent chief PNP (We expect that we have needs comes January 2020, we need a permanent chief PNP),” Banac told reporters in a press briefing held at Camp Crame.

Banac explained that by January, the PNP would procure new equipment and the signature of a permanent head is needed for this measure to push through.

“Subalit kung hindi gagawin ng pangulo ay wala namang problema wala pa naman tayong nakikitang problema so far (But if the President has no pick for the PNP chief yet, no problem for us, we don’t see any problem],” Banac said.

Earlier, 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.

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

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

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

The other contenders for the post 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.

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