PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Ronald dela Rosa confirmed Friday, April 6, that he recommended National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Oscar Albayalde to be his successor.
Dela Rosa, who is set to retire on April 21, said he believed that Albayalde will be able to continue the government’s war on drugs and the PNP’s campaign against erring cops.
“Yes I recommended general Albayalde to be the next chief PNP in order for this government to have a continuity in the war on drugs and our internal cleansing program,” he said.
Albayalde, for his part, vowed to continue Dela Rosa's programs in relation to the war on drugs and internal cleansing at the PNP.
“Napaka-importante nung continuity para ‘yung programa na magaganda na iniwan ng isang chief PNP ay magpapatuloy. Makita naman po natin na talagang napakaganda ng naging resulta ng campaign on illegal drugs na ating pamahalaan at ng PNP at nararapat lang talaga na ito ay ipagpapatuloy dahil ito ang pinangakong pagbabago ng ating pangulo,” he said.
(Continuity is important. We can see the results of the illegal drugs campaign. This ought to be continued because this was a promise made by the President.)
Albayalde vowed to continue the investigation being conducted by the PNP on drug-related killings as well as cooperate fully with other government agencies conducting investigation on the matter.
He said Oplan Tokhang will also continue.
“Ipagpapatuloy natin yang Oplan Tokhang, napakaganda nang naging resulta at ito talaga ang programa ng ating pangulo at yan ay magpapaptuloy yan, hindi po tayo magiging magrerelax sa Oplan Double Barrel natin or sa war on illegal drugs. We will not relent doon sa programa natin on war on drugs,” he said.
What he cannot promise, however, is a bloodless war on drugs, he added.
The incoming chief PNP also assured that there will be no let-up in the PNP’s intensified campaign against erring cops.
He said if ever he may not be able to sustain the conduct of surprise inspections, he will order the police commanders to do it.
Earlier, Albayalde conducted a surprise inspection which resulted in the relief of several police officers who were caught sleeping or having drinking sessions while on duty.
“As part of our internal discipline and part of internal cleansing we will put responsibility sa iba’t-ibang mga commanders on the ground down to the PCP (Police Community Precinct) level, they will be made responsible for the deeds or misdeeds, actions and misactions of all their subordinates or lahat doon sa kanilang opisina,” he said.
Albayalde said he will also push for the betterment of the police’s training particularly to adopt the training of the Special Action Force commandos’ who are known for their discipline.
He said he will not tolerate abusive cops, citing the relief of the entire Caloocan police force after the killing of Kian delos Santos and Carl Angelo Arnaiz.
Meantime, Interior and Local Government secretary Eduardo Año welcomed Albayalde’s appointment, saying that he is the right man for the job.
“He is a professional and capable police officer who can steer and lead the Team PNP in its multifarious missions. He has also my trust and confidence,” he said.
Año said one of Albayalde’s defining moments was when he successfully led the 20,000 strong NCRPO who were deployed to different venues, routes, and tours all over Metro Manila during the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit.
He said that since Albayalde and Dela Rosa were classmates, the transition will be a lot more easier.
“With Police Director Albayalde’s leadership, we are confident that we can all deliver President Duterte’s promise to eradicate illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption,” Año said.
Duterte announced Albayalde's appointment on Thursday. The new PNP chief will take his oath on April 18 along with new Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Carlito Galvez Jr. (SunStar Philippines)