UNA hits PNP selection process

MANILA, Philippines - The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) hit yesterday the apparent machinations in the selection of the new Philippine National Police (PNP) chief.

Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, UNA interim president, said the administration and the ruling Liberal Party (LP) are perpetuating the bata-bata or patronage system in the selection process of the police chief.

“There are indications that the LP would repeat what it had done in the 2013 elections, wherein it promoted its personal favorites in the PNP,” Tiangco said.

“They will start this by maneuvering the appointment of Gen. Garbo as PNP chief,” said Tiangco, referring to one of the top contenders for PNP chief, Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo Jr., current chief of the PNP directorial staff.

According to Tiangco, there were reports that LP leaders are pushing for the appointment of Garbo.

“President Aquino has KKK (kaibigan, kaklase, kabarilan) while Mar Roxas has RRG (Roxas Robot Generals) in the PNP, whoever is chosen will still be in the mold of Purisima in the sense that he is loyal not to his uniform and the Constitution but to his padrino,” Tiangco said, referring to resigned PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima.

“And how many lives will be sacrificed just like Mamasapano (in Maguindanao) all in the name of political patronage?” Tiangco said.

Garbo was a former director of the Central Visayas PNP and was National Capital Region police director in July 2013. He became the chief of the PNP directorial staff in December 2013.

“Instead of learning their lessons and correcting their mistakes by professionalizing the institution, they (LP leaders) have again chosen their political maneuverings,” he added.

President Aquino has interviewed PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina and Garbo as part of the search for the next PNP chief to replace Purisima.