Several days after the retirement of former Philippine National Police chief Police Gen. Oscar Albayalde, President Duterte is not in a hurry to appoint Albayalde’s replacement.
The President said he was taking his time to select the new PNP chief even after receiving a list of contenders for the top post.
The list included Police Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan, deputy chief for operations, and Police Major Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, chief of the directorial staff, according to the President.
“Wala pa,” Duterte said during a press conference when asked if he has appointed a new PNP chief.
“I was given a list. I think there’s Cascolan, Eleazar, and another one. They’re all good. They’re soldiers. They came from the Academy. I have no doubt about their integrity but I am taking my time appointing one,” he said.
Asked why he was taking time to appoint a new PNP chief, Dutete said: “Because he would be appointing the heads of every department there especially the comptroller and the finance people.”
“Sino ‘yung gusto niyang mapunta doon, sino ‘yung kaibigan niya. Ako kasi ‘pag binigyan kita ng puwesto, hindi na ako nakikialam,” he added.
Malacanang had earlier said the President was looking for an honest man to lead the PNP force following the recent “ninja” cop controversy. (Genalyn Kabiling)
