DILG rallies support for new PNP chief

FILE: 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). (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is throwing its full support for newly-appointed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Friday welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s announcement of Gamboa, saying the new PNP chief is very qualified for the job.

“I enjoined the whole police force to rally behind P/Lt. Gen Gamboa, enforce the law without fear or favor and protect the people. I expect that he will work harder now that he is the permanent Chief PNP and lead the organization in its intensified fight against illegal drugs, criminalities, communist terrorist groups, and extremists,“ Año added.

He said he expects that Gamboa will continue to cleanse the PNP ranks of scalawags.

Meanwhile, PNP spokesperson, Brig.

Gen Bernard Banac, said under the leadership of Gamboa, the public is assured that the PNP remains committed to intensifying the campaign against criminality, illegal drugs, and corruption.

With Gamboa at the helm, the PNP will also be following the rule of law and with the utmost respect for human rights, and vigorously pursue internal cleansing to weed the ranks of rogue cops to win back the trust and confidence of the people, Banac said.

President Rodrigo Duterte, during the Thanksgiving Gathering of Fraternal Orders of Eagles in Davao City on Friday, announced that he will appoint Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa as the official PNP Chief.

Gamboa was designated officer-in-charge of the PNP in October 2019 after then PNP chief Oscar Albayalde resigned from his post amid graft allegations.