No problem with PRRD leading police force himself: PNP

Banac also said the PNP leadership does not also take Duterte’s statement as an indication of loss of trust, particularly on the police’s top brass. (File Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncement that he will lead the police force himself pending his decision on the appointment of the next top cop.

“Suportado ng PNP ang pahayag ng Pangulo sa kanyang kahandaan na posibleng siyang manguna sa administration ng PNP at wala naman tayong nakikitang problema dahil bilang commander-in-chief ang ating Pangulo ang syang pinagmumulan ng lahat ng ating mga direktiba, guidance at kautusan (The PNP supports the President’s statement that he is willing to take the lead the PNP and we see no problem as our commander-in-chief is the source of all our directives, guidance and orders),” PNP spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said on Friday.

Banac also said the PNP leadership does not also take Duterte’s statement as an indication of loss of trust, particularly on the police’s top brass.

“Hindi naman bago sa atin na tayo ay nabibigyan ng mga policy guidance and instruction patungkol sa ating kampanya laban sa kriminalidad, illegal na droga at korapsyon. Kung anuman ang magiging desisyon ng Pangulo sa bagay na ito ay handa ang PNP na tumugon at suporta (It’s not new for us. We are being given the policy guidance and instruction on the campaign against criminality, illegal drugs, corruption. Whatever the decision of the President in this matter the PNP is ready to implement and support),” he said.

Recently, 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.

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

Duterte earlier said he was taking his time in deciding who the next PNP chief will be because he is still conducting an “extensive background check” to ensure the next top cop is free of corruption cases.

Gamboa is one of the top candidates as PNP chief while 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.