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PNP clarifies no official announcement on next chief
Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Dionardo Carlos clarified on Wednesday that no official announcement has been made by President Rodrigo Duterte on the reported appointment of Police Deputy Director General Ramon Apolinario as the successor of PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who is set to retire in 2018. (Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)
Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Dionardo Carlos on Wednesday clarified that no official announcement has been made by President Rodrigo Duterte on the reported appointment of Police Deputy Director General Ramon Apolinario as the successor of PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who is set to retire in 2018.
“If there would be an announcement, the official announcement would come from Malacañang,” Carlos said in a press briefing.
The PNP spokesman’s statement came after news reports revealed the name of Apolinario as Dela Rosa’s replacement when he retired on January 21 next year, reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 for the uniformed service.
In spite of this, Carlos admitted that they were expecting Apolinario to be appointed as the new chief, and that he is the “number one choice” of the Chief Executive.
“’Yan ay ipapaalam sa tamang panahon (that would be announced in due course), by the appointing authority,” Carlos stressed.
“But he’s really the number one candidate to replace by means of seniority, credentials, and the trust of the President,” the PNP spokesperson added.
Duterte has yet to issue a formal statement regarding this.
During the 3rd PNP National Advisory Council Summit at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino on Tuesday, PNP Center for Strategic Management legal officer Superintendent Ercy Nanette Tomas reportedly disclosed that Apolianrio will be the next PNP Chief.
Carlos, however, made it clear that the announcement was just an “impromptu spiel,” as he urged the Filipino people to wait for the President’s official announcement.
Meanwhile, Apolinario on Wednesday refused to confirm that he has been appointed by Duterte as the next chief.
“Hindi pa naman official ‘yun (It’s not yet official). We are waiting for the official announcement so no comment muna ako (first),” Apolinario was quoted as saying in a GMA report.
“Ako’y magpo-focus pa rin sa trabaho ko as deputy chief for administration ni (I’ll focus on my duty as deputy chief for administration of) Police Chief Director General [Ronald] ‘Bato’ dela Rosa. Kasi marami rin akong mga committees tsaka conferences na a-attendan (Because I have many committees and conferences to attend),” he added.
A member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1985, Apolinario is set to retire on August 31, 2018.
When Duterte assumed the presidency in July 2016, Dela Rosa, Apolinario, and Chief of the Directorate for personnel Rene Asperas were among the contenders for the position. The President picked Dela Rosa as the PNP Chief because he is the most senior.
