Next PNP chief must be honest, competent: Palace

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte gives the thumbs up while delivering his speech during the mass oath taking of newly appointed government officials at the Malacañan Palace on July 8, 2019. ALFRED FRIAS/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte wants the next Philippine National Police (PNP) chief to be honest, competent, and free from irregularities amid reports of cops recycling illegal drugs, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte is selecting from four candidates but will keep it to himself for the meantime.

“He (Duterte) will decide on the basis of competence and honesty,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

“If you are honest, di ibig sabihin wala kang kaso (that means you have no cases) relative to any irregularity. Pag competent ka, di ibig sabihin magaling ka sa trabaho mo (If you’re competent, that means you’re good at your job),” he added.

Asked if Duterte would consider appointing someone he does not personally know, Panelo said it would depend on the President.

“Sometimes siguro (perhaps) he appoints on the basis of reputation preceding the appointee,” Panelo said.

Duterte earlier said he would be more careful in selecting the next PNP to avoid “stumbling” again.

Panelo said he did not know if Duterte was referring to PNP chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde, who is accused of involvement in the illegal drug trade. but said he would ask the President to clarify what he meant.

“Mahirap mag-interpret sa sinabi niya dahil hindi… hindi… Hindi, kasi hindi masyadong klaro kung kanino niya nire-refer o whatever (It’s hard to interpret what he said. It wasn’t clear who he was referring to),” Panelo said.

Albayalde earlier said since an investigation is ongoing, the public should “move on” from the issue.

However, Panelo said Palace could not simply move on since the results of the investigation have yet to be released.

“As far as Malacañang is concerned, there is an ongoing investigation as instructed by the President,” Panelo said.

“In the first place, you can’t stop the public from talking about it,” he added.

Meanwhile, Panelo said the irregularities hounding the PNP should not affect the President’s campaign against illegal drugs.

“The fact is the President has dismantled many drug apparatus in this country and jailed many police scalawags involved in the drug operation and arrested many people involved in pushing the illegal drugs and many have surrendered, many have been rehabilitated,” Panelo said.