The schedule for turnover of command for the next Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) was already set on March 27. 

But what is not clear at this point is the question on who will replace outgoing top cop Gen. Benjamin Acorda, Jr.

In terms of seniority, there are three automatic contenders from the PNP’s Command Group whom President Marcos could choose from— Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Peralta, the PNP’s number two man being the Deputy Chief for Administration; Lt. Gen. Michael John Dubria, the PBP’s number three man being the Deputy Chief for Operations; and, Lt. Gen. Jon Arnaldo, the number four man as he is the Chief of the Directorial Staff.

All of them are classmates of Acorda, the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1991.

Another senior officer whose name cropped up in the discussions for Acorda’s possible replacement is Police Maj. Gen. Rommel Marbil, the PNP’s current Director for Comptrollership. He, too, is a member of PMA Class 1991.

The last PMA Class

The PMA Class 1992 is the last batch of military graduates in the PNP—and one of its top contenders is Police Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr., the current director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

Before his assumption as Metro Manila police chief, Nartatez was the regional director of the Region IV-A (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, or Calabarzon)—one of the coveted posts in the PNP.

Aside from Nartatez, members of the PMA 1992 Class who could be chosen as PNP chief are Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat, Jr., the current director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG); Maj. Gen. Ronald Lee, the current PNP Director for Operations; and, Maj. Gen. Bernard Banac, the current director of the PNP’s elite Special Action Force (SAF).

Ready for PNPA?

The contenders for the next chief PNP, however, is not limited to PMA graduates.

Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo, the current head of the Directorate for Police Community Relations, could not also be set aside in terms of accomplishments.

Before his DPCR post, Okubo led the PNP’s SAF and was later named as the NCRPO director.

Should he be chosen as Acorda’s replacement, he would make history as the first PNPA graduate to become the country’s top cop. He is a member of PNPA Class 1992.

PBBM’s decision

Both Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos and Acorda said the final decision is still with President Marcos.

Abalos and Acorda, however, said they also have their respective bets.

 “I think I was asked the same question last December and I will give you the same answer.  Of course I have something in mind but I would only say it if asked (by the President),” said Acorda who was supposed to retire in December last year until Marcos extended his tour of duty until March 31 this year. 

Abalos said there are three to four senior officers in his short list.

“I will be talking to the President and we will be laying down the performance of the generals that could be appointed as the next Chief PNP,” said Abalos in a recent interview. 

“But number one (qualification) for me, it’s output based. This is the most important not only in the PNP but also in other organizations,” he added.