Calderon named new PNP chief

President Arroyo appointed yesterday Deputy Director General Oscar Calderon as the new chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), replacing Director General Arturo Lomibao, who retires today.

Calderon will formally take over as PNP chief as Lomibao formally bows out from the police service after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Malacañang made the announcement early in the morning through radio and television broadcasts, ending weeks of speculation over who would be Lomibao’s successor.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye Jr. said Calderon was the most senior among candidates for the position.

"General Calderon is very qualified and his fellow officials and colleagues (in the PNP) hold him in high regard," Bunye said.

"Let’s hope that he does his best for the time that he will be serving as (national) police chief," Bunye said.

Presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor said the President chose Calderon for his "integrity, performance and competence."

Even as there was little doubt Calderon would be chosen by Mrs. Arroyo, Defensor said he could explain why Malacañang made the announcement at the last minute.

"He was really slated to be the PNP chief (anyway)... also because of his seniority," Defensor said.

Calderon bested several other candidates for the position. Among them were Deputy Director General Servando Hizon, PNP comptroller, and Deputy Director General Avelino Razon, PNP deputy chief for operations.

Calderon and Hizon belong to the Philippine Military Academy Class ’73. Razon belongs to PMA Class ’74.

Bunye defended Calderon’s appointment, saying not only is he qualified but also enjoys the support of the PNP personnel, which is important in the implementation of policies.

He pointed out Lomibao himself expressed support for Calderon but refused to confirm allegations that the new PNP chief was chosen because he was distant a relative of the President.

"We’ll find out but I’m not the proper party to verify that," Bunye said. "In the first place I’m not sure if he actually made that representations so I prefer not to (comment)."

When it was pointed out that Mrs. Arroyo appears to be continuing her "revolving door" policy in the appointment of police chiefs, Bunye said: "As far as I know he (Calderon) has been appointed and unless there’s any supervening event, he will serve the rest of the term."

Calderon will serve as PNP chief for 15 months until he retires on Oct. 1, 2007.

Defensor added the appointment was "just right" for Calderon to serve as PNP chief as he dismissed allegations that the appointment was politically motivated.

"His appointment is not (part of) a revolving door policy," Defensor said.

Lomibao, for his part, said Calderon is the right man for the job with "sterling" credentials needed to take the top PNP post.

‘PNP more intact’

Lomibao said he will be leaving the service today and allow Calderon to lead the 118,000-strong PNP organization "more intact, solidly behind the Constitution and duly constituted government under President Arroyo."

For Lomibao, the Feb. 24 failed coup attempt was probably the toughest day of his career as a police officer.

Lomibao’s term was no walk in the park as he had to deal with the Bicutan siege on the day he assumed the post in March 2005, when suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorists held hostage several inmates at the Metro Manila Rehabilitation Center at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City in their attempt to escape.

Lomibao recalled dealing with the problem of elite members of the police Special Action Force (SAF) who were being recruited to withdraw support from Mrs. Arroyo on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the EDSA I people power revolt.

With the combined efforts of the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), government forces foiled the coup attempt.

Lomibao, however, refused to claim credit for nipping the coup in the bud.

"It’s not only the PNP which has kept the government intact. I think it is also the AFP, and all other institutions. So it’s not correct to say that (only the PNP kept the government intact). The entire government bureaucracy was behind (the administration)," Lomibao said.

With the spate of impeachment complaints filed against Mrs. Arroyo, Lomibao said the government and its institutions must remain intact.

"We should continue to support the institution, the chain of command and of course not only the PNP, but also AFP, because they work in tandem," he told a crowd that had gathered at his pre-birthday bash Monday night.

"It will depend on the greater majority of our people supporting the present government, President and commander-in-chief," Lomibao said.

Militant groups like Bayan, however, urged the incoming PNP chief to address the spate of murders and disappearances of activists.

Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said Calderon will be facing his big test on July 24 during the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).

"There will definitely be big protests on July 24, on President Arroyo’s SONA. Thousands are expected to participate all over the country. Will Calderon adhere to the policy of maximum tolerance or will he, like Lomibao, adopt a policy of aggression towards the rallyists?" Reyes asked. - With Katherine Adraneda