Eleazar, 2 generals top bets for PNP chief
Credit to Author: CATHERINE S. VALENTE, TMT| Date: Fri, 11 Oct 2019 16:15:50 +0000
Major General Guillermo Eleazar and two other generals are among the top contenders for the post to be vacated by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde, according to Sen. Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go.
Go confirmed that Eleazar, Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan and Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa are among the candidates being considered by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Albayalde is set to retire on November 8.
“Possible choices niya (They are the President’s possible choices) based on seniority,” Go told reporters.
Eleazar, the youngest among the three contenders, was on Thursday named chief directorial staff, the fourth highest position in the PNP.
His appointment will earn him his third star.
Formerly the head of the National Capital Region Police Office, Eleazar is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1987. His stint in the police force will end in 2021.
Meanwhile, Cascolan and Gamboa are both members of PMA Class of 1986, along with Albayalde.
Gamboa, the police force’s number three man, was named deputy chief for administration, while Cascolan was appointed deputy chief for operations.
Cascolan and Gamboa are set to retire next year.
Malacañang earlier said Duterte was looking for an honest and competent head of the PNP.
Recently, Albayalde was linked to suspected “ninja cops,” poicemen who recycle seized illegal drugs.
The scandal triggered calls for Albayalde’s removal but the President said he would wait for the result of an investigation led by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said while there might be some recommendations for the top PNP post, the President personally screens the candidates to determine if they meet his qualifications.