PNP procurement activities continue sans chief

Lieutenant General Archie Gamboa (File photo)
Lieutenant General Archie Gamboa (File photo)

EVEN without a permanent chief, procurement activities of the Philippine National Police (PNP) would still continue, Lieutenant General Archie Gamboa assured Thursday, January 2.

"It's within my authority to sign contracts and act as the head of the procuring entity. I can sign contracts, I can sign notice to proceed, notice of award. I can do all these things. So no problem about that (procurement)," Gamboa, currently the PNP officer-in-charge, said in a press conference Thursday.

It has been almost three months since Gamboa assumed as officer-in-charge after former PNP chief Oscar Albayalde stepped down amid allegations that he protected "ninja cops", or police officers who recycle illegal drugs seized during anti-drugs operations.

"Mahirap basahin at mahirap mag-conclude based on the statements of the President. What we can just surmise is continuing pa rin yung supervision ni Secretary Año sa PNP just like what happened before when I assumed office on October 14," Gamboa said, referring to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año.

Gamboa stressed that based on the resolution issued by the National Police Commission on October 16, 2019, two days after he assumed office, Napolcom has the power to review the actions of the PNP officer-in-charge.

"All my actions are subject for review by the Napolcom. If Napolcom will see that my actions are not in consonance or in excess of the authority that was given, they can always revoke it," Gamboa said.

Before Christmas, Gamboa said Napolcom gave him as PNP officer-in-charge additional powers - the power to appoint Police Lieutenant Colonels and attend as an observer Napolcom meetings.

Gamboa assured that there has been no grumbling among the PNP personnel about the lack of a permanent leader and the PNP has been able to carry out its functions despite this.

"Pag tumatakbo naman sya at na-e-execute naman ang functions properly (If the organization is functioning, then I don't see any problem (with the lack of a permanent police chief)," he added. (MVI/SunStar Philippines)

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