Duterte mum if there will be new chief PNP before May 9 polls- Año
By Chito Chavez
President Duterte it yet to decide on whether or not he would extend the tour of duty of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos.
Carlos, is set to retire May 8, a day before the 2022 national and local polls, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said.
“He has two options. PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) can say ‘okay I’ll extend you (Carlos) up to June 30. Or he can appoint an OIC (officer-in-charge) up to June 30 so that the new president will be the one to appoint (a new PNP chief),” Año said in a message.
However, Año noted “but more likely, the President does not want any extension (of the PNP chief's term) to avoid any issue.”
On April 17, Año revealed that “there is no guidance from PRRD. So far, Gen. Carlos will retire as scheduled.’’
Carlos replaced Senate candidate and former PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on November 13 last year.
The DILG chief added that he will have to assess and wait for the President’s order when pressed if he is going to recommend Carlos’ tenure in the police service.
If the President prefers not to extend Carlos’ term, Año said he would submit to the President this week a list of police officials who can replace Carlos.
Among the officials who can succeed Carlos are Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia, PNP’s No. 2 man as the deputy chief for administration; and Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao, the PNP’s No. 4 man as chief of the PNP Directorial Staff.
The PNP’s No. 3 man, PNP deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Ferdinand Divina, is due to retire on May 2 or six days before the scheduled retirement of Carlos. (Chito A. Chavez)