Police force backs Duterte as possible next PNP Chief
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 29) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said it will completely support President Rodrigo Duterte if he decides to lead the 200,000-strong police force.
PNP Spokesperson Bernard Banac said that Duterte, as the commander-in-chief, can choose how to lead the police officers and personnel.
“Lahat tayo bilang nasa unipormadong serbisyo ay nakahanda na tumalima sa anumang magiging desisyon ng ating pinaka mataas na authority. Wala po tayong nakikitang anumang problema,” he said in a media briefing.
[Translation: We are ready to adhere to the decision of our commander-in-chief. We don’t see any problem with that.]
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday expressed desperation that he would have to resort to taking over the leadership of the PNP if he cannot decide on a new chief after Oscar Albayalde relinquished his post in October.
He said he is still having trouble choosing who will sit at the helm of the agency because he doesn’t want the next top cop to have a history of corruption. Albayalde resigned three weeks before his retirement after a Senate panel said he blocked the dismissal of 13 policemen involved in an irregular drug raid in Pampanga during his stint as provincial police chief in 2013. Albayalde has professed innocence.
The post of PNP Chief has been empty since October 14. Duterte said he has already received the list of endorsements, but he is still taking time with his decision.
