Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on Friday confirmed submitting three names to President Duterte who will replace Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa who is set to retire on September 2.
(PCOO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Año refused to identify the police officers on the list, saying that Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel with star-rank are qualified for the top PNP post.
When asked about Gamboa’s possible extension from the service, Año said only the President has the power to do that especially in the midst of the pandemic.
Año explained that it is under the law for the President to extend the service of the chief PNP when the situation warrants it.
Among the possible contenders for PNP chief are Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan, deputy chief for administration and head of the Administrative Support to COVID-19 Operations Task Force (ASCOTF); Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, deputy chief for operations and commander of the Joint Task Force Covid Shield, and Lt. Gen. Cesar Hawthorne Binag, chief of the PNP directorial staff.
Cascolan is a batchmate of Gamboa in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1986 and will retire in November.
Eleazar and Binag both belong to the PMA Class 1987 and will retire in November and April 2021 respectively.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said the PNP is now preparing the retirement honors for Gamboa.
“The PNP is now preparing to render retirement honors to Gen. Archie Gamboa and for possible change of command ceremony. It will be held at PNP Multi purpose Center on September 2, subject to the availability of President Rodrigo Duterte as Guest of Honor and Speaker,” Banac said.
Banac said all the invited officials will join the ceremony via video teleconferencing following quarantine restrictions.
“All health and safety standards will be strictly observed,” he added.