黑料社

President Duterte on Tuesday night said he was in no hurry to name the country鈥檚 next police chief, as the head of the Philippine National Police would be responsible for appointing key officials in the organization.

鈥淭here are rankings. I was given a list [by Interior Secretary Eduardo A帽o]. I think there鈥檚 Cascolan, Eleazar and another one,鈥� Duterte said at a press conference in Malaca帽ang, referring to the PNP officer in charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, deputy chief for operations, Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan, and chief of the directorial staff, Maj. Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e all good. They鈥檙e soldiers. They came from the [Philippine Military] Academy. I have no doubt about their integrity, but I am taking my time appointing one,鈥� the President said.

Pressed why he was taking his time, Duterte replied: 鈥淏ecause he will be appointing the heads of every department [in the PNP], especially the controller and the finance people.鈥�

He added: 鈥淸The next PNP chief decides] whoever he wants to be placed there. When I give you a position, I no longer meddle.鈥�

Gamboa has been running the PNP since October, following the resignation of the PNP chief, Police Gen. Oscar Albayalde, amid accusations that he had protected and interceded for some subordinates who were dismissed after a drug-recycling controversy in 2013.

Aside from Gamboa, Cascolan and Eleazar, other names were floated as possible contenders: Central Visayas regional director, Brig. Gen. Valeriano de Leon, and Calabarzon regional director, Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr.

Although not in the list submitted to the President,Duterte put in a good word for Danao, a former Davao City police chief when the President was mayor of the city, and a former director of the Manila Police District.

鈥淭his man is hotheaded. But he鈥檚 good, he鈥檚 really a worker. He and Bato are alike. They can solve a kidnapping overnight,鈥� the President said, referring to ex-PNP chief and now senator, Ronald 鈥淏ato鈥� dela Rosa.