PNP officers acknowledge Bartolome to be named PNP chief

MANILA, Philippines - Fellow police officers have acknowledged that Deputy Director General Nicanor Bartolome would be the next Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, succeeding Director General Raul Bacalzo.

Although President Aquino has yet to make a formal announcement, many senior police officials have conceded that Bartolome would be formally appointed as the next PNP chief within seven days.

Superintendent Rex Milton Dolino of the PNP’s Directorate for Plans made the first giveaway when he acknowledged Bartolome during the first meeting of the National Advisory Group (NAG) for Police Reform and Development yesterday morning at the PNP national headquarters conference room.

“We heard that he (Bartolome) will be vacating his office in the next seven days to transfer to another office at the lobby,” Dolino told those present in the room, who responded approvingly.

Dolino was referring to the office of the PNP chief located on the third floor, just across Bartolome’s present office as PNP’s chief of directorial staff.

Dolino’s assertion was virtually supported by Senior Superintendent Leo Marzan of the PNP’s Directorate for Research and Doctrine Development when he acknowledged the presence of Bartolome before proceeding with his presentation about the PNP’s history and scope of work during the same event.

“To DDG Bartolome, who will be occupying higher position come Sept. 9, good morning sir,” Marzan blurted out.

Even Dr. Jesus Estanislao, adviser of NAG, cast aside any doubt on the impending appointment of Bartolome.

“General Bartolome will be serving us as PNP chief for the next two years… we should leave it to the incoming chief of the PNP,” Estanislao, who served as finance secretary of President Aquino’s mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, said in connection with the selection of a chairman for the NAG.

But when it was Bartolome’s turn to speak, he immediately issued a clarification.

“I would like to make it clear that the announcement made by some officers is not yet official,” Bartolome said.

There had been talks that the President already made his choice to replace Bacalzo, who will retire on Sept. 15 on his 56th birthday.

Bacalzo will be hanging up his uniform on Sept. 9, or a week ahead of his birthday, to allow preparation for a turnover of command.

Sources, however, revealed that PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr. is also a strong contender for the top post.

Though Pagdilao has apparently acknowledged the preference of the President, he was quoted as saying, “May race pa ba? (Is there any race?)” when asked about his chances for the PNP top post.

Pagdilao and Bartolome were both members of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class ’79.

However, Bartolome was “turned back” and joined PMA Class ’80.

“With General Bartolome as PNP chief, he represents the PMA Class ’79 and ’80,” a police officer pointed out.

The President traditionally selects the next PNP chief from the immediate junior class of the present national police chief.

Bacalzo belonged to PMA Class ’77 while his junior PMA Class ’78, to which Director Roberto Rosales and Director Arturo Cacdac belonged, was affiliated and associated with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.