No favoritism in PNP revamp: Gamboa

FILE: 3 COPS DISMISSED. Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa announces the dismissal of three policemen involved in the controversial anti-illegal drug operation in Antipolo City last May during a press conference at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Monday (Oct. 21, 2019). Gamboa identified the three as M/Sgt. Donald Roque, M/Sgt. Rommel Vital and Cpl. Romeo Gueredrero. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa on Monday denied an accusation that ‘bata-bata’ system or favoritism marred the recent massive revamp involving senior police officers.

“Wala naman siguro akong ‘bata-bata.’ I don’t know ano sinasabi nilang favoritism or ‘bata-bata,’ lahat naman ng pulis, bata ko (I don’t think there is ‘bata-bata’. I don’t know what they are claiming favoritism. All police personnel are my subordinates),” Gamboa said in a press briefing held at Camp Crame.

He said at least two of his classmates were also affected by the revamp, referring to Maj. Gen. Amador Corpus and Brig. Gen. Edward Carranza.

Corpus was moved from Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to head the Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development while Carranza was assigned to the Logistics Support Service from Region 4 (Calabarzon).

“Rest assured that this bata-bata system no longer exists in the PNP,” Gamboa said.

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) earlier granted Gamboa authority to implement the revamp, affecting 22 high-ranking officials of the PNP.

Gamboa said the PNP will re-evaluate the officials after a three-month probationary period.

PNP spokesperson, Brigadier General Bernard Banac earlier admitted that some of those who were affected by the reshuffling of key positions were either disappointed or unhappy.

He, however, maintained that the revamp was part of the career development and a normal procedure in their organization.