The next head of the Philippine National Police (PNP) will only serve in an officer-in-charge (OIC) capacity, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said.
Incumbent PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos is set to retire on May 8 and Año said he had already recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte two senior officials for the position of top cop.
"Nakapag-submit na ako ng aking recommendation last Tuesday (April 26) sa ating Pangulo. Two senior police officials ang pangalan na ibinigay namin (I have already submitted my recommendation to the President last Tuesday. We have submitted the names of two senior officers),’’ Año said in an interview over TeleRadyo.
Año explained that the recommendation was based on seniority and competency but the names of the two police officers in the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) resolution have not yet been released.
The DILG chief also pointed out that the President has the discretion to appoint any star rank police outside the DILG’s recommendation and may also extend Carlos' tour of duty if he wishes to do so.
“Nasa Pangulo 'yan pero siyempre baka magtatalaga na lang ng acting chief PNP (It is up to the President but maybe an acting chief PNP will be appointed),’’ he added.
DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya in the same report emphasized that the acting PNP chief would only enforce the government’s plans for the May 9, 2022 polls should the President pick Carlos’ successor.
He noted that these were already crafted since last year so the transition will be ‘’smooth’’.
“Ang gagawin na lang po, kung saka-sakaling hindi ma-extend si General Carlos, ang gagawin na ng papalit sa kanya na OIC or acting chief PNP (What needs to be done incase General Carlos’ term is not extended, what his OIC successor or acting chief PNP will do) is just to implement what has already been determined by the PNP,’’ the DILG spokesperson explained.
But if the President fails to appoint Carlos' successor the second-highest police official who is Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia, the PNP's deputy chief for administration will take over. (Chito A. Chavez)