3-cornered PNP battle ensues

President is expected to announce his choice for the PNP ‘s top post before month’s end.

Three senior officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) are on the shortlist submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte of candidates to succeed Gen. Oscar Albayalde as head of the police force.

Those who are said up for consideration are Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan (Deputy Chief for Operations), Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar (Chief of Directorial Staff) and Lt. Gen. Francisco Gamboa (Deputy Chief for Administration).

“They are his (Mr. Duterte) possible choices based on seniority,” Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said in a text message to reporters.

Should the Commander-in-Chief follow tradition, Gamboa and Cascolan, both from the Philippine Military Academy’s Class of 1986, are the most senior, the legislator said.

List of candidates have been submitted to the President.

Gamboa is set to retire on September 2020, while Cascolan’s retirement is on November 2020.

However, if the President will opt for someone who will serve as PNP chief for a longer period, Eleazar, from the PMA’s Class of 1987, is the logical choice as he still has over two years left in the service.

Mr. Duterte, under the law, also has the power to appoint someone not on the list of candidates.

Albayalde is set to retire on 8 November. The President is expected to announce his choice for the PNP ‘s top post before month’s end.

Go said it is up to the President Rodrigo Duterte to choose among the three aspirants, but he repeated his earlier statement that the next PNP chief should have inner courage.

“The next PNP chief must have balls so the anti-drug campaign will be sustained,” Go said in an ambush interview yesterday at CAA Compound, Las Piñas City during his visit to fire victims.

He said the list of candidates have been submitted to the President.

Meanwhile, outgoing National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar who was appointed as the Chief Directorial Staff, the fourth highest position in the PNP, described his promotion as a “career growth.”

“It’s just career growth. All of us, in our career, we wanted to be promoted, and clearly from regional director of the NCRPO with the rank of two-star and my appointment Chief Directorial Staff with commensurate rank of three-star is a promotion for me,” Eleazar said.

Eleazar expressed mixed emotions on his promotion as he will soon leave his post as Metro Manila’s top cop.

Replacing Eleazar is Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, former director of the Police Regional Office-7 whose appointment takes effect on Saturday.

Eleazar is a member of the PMA Hinirang Class of 1987.

Albayalde has the right to defend himself against his accusers, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said. This came after Albayalde said he is considering to file a suit against Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and retired police general Rudy Lacadin.

“He is within his rights to defend himself if he believes he has a case against those who testified in the Senate hearing,” Lacson said in a text message.

“It may be a double-edged sword though since those retired generals will not take it sitting down and will defend themselves vigorously,” the senator added.

“Further, if the TSN of the Senate investigation will be used in the filing of any criminal or civil case, Gen. Albayalde must present solid evidence to disprove the accusations hurled against him,” he said.

The Senate Blue Ribbon joint with Justice and Human Rights Committee chairman Richard J. Gordon has yet to issue recommendations and conclusions from the investigations.