Palace okays early retirement of Verzosa

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III approved the early retirement plan of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Jesus Verzosa, a Palace official said Sunday.

Presidential Communication Operations Office head Sonny Coloma said Malacañang backed the decision of Verzosa to leave his post on September 15.

Post your reaction to the Manila hostage crisis

The PNP chief’s mandatory age of retirement, 56, will be on December 25.

But the Palace official said that Verzosa’a move has nothing to do with the hostage fiasco last August 23.

"Nililinaw natin, ito ay matagal nang napagkasunduan bago pa man nagkaroon ng hostage crisis noong nakaraang linggo," reiterated Coloma.

Verzosa seconded the statement, saying he announced his early retirement last month.

“My decision to render an early retirement was announced more than a month ago. More than ever, it is imperative to take responsibility especially with regards to what has transpired in the past week,” said Verzosa.

“In this regard, as chief of the national police, I take responsibility and accountability of all the PNP units and all police personnel in everything they do and failed to do,” said Verzosa.

He assured that the PNP exhausted all means “in order to attain the effective resolution of the incident.”

“It is now time to move forward and start anew. Rest assured that the national police will continue its sworn duty to serve and protect as well as tender credible, effective and reliable service to the public,” he added.

Among those vying for the top PNP post are Deputy Director General Raul Bacalzo, Deputy Director General for administration Perfecto Palad, and Directorial staff head Benjamin Belarmini.

Apart from Verzosa, his PMA classmates, PNP Director for personnel and records management Abner Cabalquinto and PNP Director for logistics Luizo Ticman, who are both set to retire in October, are also expected to go on "non-duty" post starting September 15.

Bishop calls for resignation

But less than two weeks before Verzosa leaves his post, retired Lingayen Archbishop Oscar Cruz said that the PNP chief should render his resignation.

"If Department of Interior and Local Government Chief Jesse Robredo will be asked to resign, I think Versoza must first leave his post," he said.

If the principle of command responsibility is to be strictly followed, Cruz said other officials that must also resign are DILG Undersecretary Rico Puno and President Benigno Aquino III. (JMR/VR/MSN/Sunnex)